Victorian Wheelchair Rugby Classic comes to Frankston this weekend

If you like your rugby then you best get down to Frankston this weekend as it plays host to the Frankston Festival of Rugby.

As part of the festival activities, we'll be hosting two full days of the Victorian Wheelchair Rugby Classic from the Frankston Basketball Stadium.

The Classic will feature 15 current or past Australian players, including eight members of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Gold medal team.

They will mix it with Victoria’s best, plus an invitational NSW team, across two days of intensive competition, as clubs battle it out for the inaugural Victorian Wheelchair Rugby Classic title.

For the first time ever, the event will be broadcast live. You can watch the Victorian Wheelchair Rugby Classic on our website, as well as our Facebook page, from 11am this Friday and 10am on Saturday. 

Or better yet, join us at the Frankston Basketball Stadium to be part of the excitement!

This event is proudly sponsored by Taxi Services Commission. 

Protect is proud to be the official sponsor of the Victorian Wheelchair Rugby Cup, which this event is a part of, while ETU supports the development of grassroots wheelchair rugby in Victoria.

Professional development for teachers

A huge thank you to School Sports Victoria for inviting us to the Victorian Teachers' Games in Ballarat last weekend.

We had the opportunity to talk with hundreds of school teachers about our Wheeltalk disability awareness program as well as our new professional development program for teachers. 

Our new, practical and insightful workshop will help teachers and education support staff take a strengths-based approach towards creating a classroom practice that is inclusive of students with disability.

Perfect for educational professionals who are looking for a convenient and enjoyable way to meet VIT professional development requirements.

If you'd like to take part in a trial workshop or register your interest, please get in touch.

DSR in the limelight

Our CEO, Richard Amon, was honoured to be a guest on The P.I. Show last week.

Hosts Tony Carbone and John Karantzis talked with Richard about the power of sport to change lives, as well as pathways for people with disability to take part in physical activity.

It was a fantastic opportunity to share the work that we do with a wider audience and let some of that passion for inclusive sport shine through the old TV box!

If you didn't catch the show on Channel 31 or Aurora TV, you can watch the video online.

Call out for volunteers

The Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Festival is a community event that promotes and celebrates physically active lifestyles for people of all abilities.

This year's festival will be held on Friday 1 December at Crown Riverwalk.

With over 30 exhibitors, the Get Active Challenge for school groups and the Wheelchair Basketball Corporate Challenge - we need lots of helping hands to make the day a success.

If you'd like to help out on the day, or in the lead up to the event, we'd love to hear from you.

Get in touch or call Melanie on (03) 9473 0133.

Wheelchair Sports Open Day

Ever wondered how sports and wheelchairs work together?

Come along for a day of fun and get involved on and off the court at the Wheelchair Sports Open Day.   

When: Sunday 29 October, 2017
Time: 10am to 2pm
Where: Darebin Community Sports Stadium

You'll be able to try:

• AFL
• Badminton
• Tennis
• Handball
• Basketball

You can also watch a demonstration game of AFL wheelchair at 12:45pm.

Entry is a gold coin donation which will go toward Open Doors. Open Doors helps people with disability access YMCA facilities through financial support.

There will also be a fun expo running throughout the day with your chance to meet and connect with businesses and organisations who will be showcasing what they do in the area of disability, wheelchairs and sport. 

Please note: This event is for people with, and without, physical disability, however EVERYONE will need to use a sports wheelchair. Some chairs will be available for sue on the day. Please arrive 15 minutues early on the day.

Keen? Register online

Get on board for CyclePower 2018

Check out this group of fearless cycling adventure seekers! They came along to our CyclePower 2018 information night to learn about our next destination – Sri Lanka.

If you couldn't make it but the idea of cycling through Sri Lanka knowing you've raised funds to support people with disability gets your (bike) motor running, register your interest on our website and we'll send you an information pack.

You'll be riding with a group of like-minded people who are passionate about cycling, travel and making a difference, for an unforgettable 10-day cycling adventure through nearly 500km of Sri Lanka's incredible landscapes.

Want to support the CyclePower initiative in other ways? You can make a donation or contact us for ways your business can be involved through corporate sponsorship. 

Electric wheelchair sports summer season starts soon

Do you use an electric wheelchair for mobility?

This month you can try out Balloon Soccer, Rugby League and Powerchair Hockey in Croydon!

Matches are played both competitively and socially and are open to all ages, genders and disabilities.

It’s great for meeting new friends, keeping active and most importantly, having fun!

When: Sunday 29 October, 2017
Where: Aquahub, 11 Civic Square, Croydon
Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm (Arrive by 12:30pm)

The winter grand finals for powerchair hockey and football are also  happening THIS Sunday, 8 October.

Keen to check it out and see if it's for you?

Head to the Aquahub from 12:30pm.

You can find more information on the Victorian Electric Wheelchair Sports Association website. 

Your chance to try water skiing

Summer is coming (we hope) and that means more time to get out on the water!

If you're not sure if water skiing is your thing, these come and try days with Disabled Water Ski Victoria will give you a gentle introduction.

For more information contact:

• Jason on 0411 550 117
• Will on 0428 797 058
• Vaughn on 0417 050 331

Spots are limited so don't wait!

Customised bike days

Solve Disability Solutions is a not-for-profit organisation that has been customising equipment for people with disability for over 40 years.

They have two customised bike days coming up where you can meet their expert occupational therapists and bike technicians and have them customise your bike to get you riding confidently.

When: Saturday 14 October, 2017
Time: 10am to 2pm
Where: Camelot Traffic School, Bentleigh East

When: Saturday 11 November, 2017
Time: 10am to 2pm
Where: Greenspeed Recumbent Trikes, Knoxfield

To book your spot call Solve on 1300 663 243 or email info@solve.org.au

Take on tennis these school holidays

Are you interested in having a hit of wheelchair tennis these school holidays?

Tennis Cares is a three week wheelchair tennis program presented by Origin Tennis and the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.

There are two open day events this week for you to have a go:

• Wednesday 4 October at Werribee Central Tennis Club, Werribee
   
• Thursday 5 October at Kingsville Tennis Club, West Footscray.

Family members are welcome go along and take part.

For more details and/or to register, contact Steve Riley on 0403 433 750 or Michelle Hage on 0403 174 000.

Girls only camp

Due to popular demand, People Outdoors is excited to run its first ever girls only camp for 13 to 18 year olds.

These programs are for individuals with an NDIS package who require a support ratio of one staff member to three participants.

When: 27-29 October, 2017

Where: YMCA Lady Northcote Recreation Camp, Bacchus Marsh

For more information call 03 9863 6824 or visit the People Outdoors website.

Meet Kellie Tait of Access All Abilities Sport Ballarat

We're extremely pleased that winners of the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards are still doing the media rounds!

In the last issue of Vortex we referenced an article about Access All Abilities (AAA) Sport Ballarat, winner of Initiative of the Year, on the Sports Central website.

You can now read a more indepth article on Kellie Tait, the founder and coordinator of AAA Sport Ballarat.

We love to see female sports leadership being celebrated.

Grants for junior athletes to follow their sporting dreams

The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial support for young sportspeople aged between 12 and 18.

Successful grant recipients will receive $500 that can be used towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing, coaching or officiating at:

• official national sporting organisation endorsed state, national or international sporting championships
• School Sport Australia state, national or international championships.

You can apply any time of year on the Australian Institute of Sport website.