We're excited to share that Physiotherapy appointments are once again available at Sporting Wheelies! Experienced Spinal Life Australia Physiotherapists Linda von Moltke and Shannon McHours (pictured above) will be on-site at the Para Clubhouse at 2 Kilroe Street in Milton, ready to support you. Appointments are available: Wednesday afternoons between 1pm and 4pm, with Shannon Thursday mornings between 9am and 12pm, with Linda Why you might benefit from seeing a Physiotherapist: Reduce and manage pain Maintain and improve flexibility Rehabilitation after an accident or surgery Improve movement and coordination Injury management Find out more Linda and Shannon are passionate about supporting you to reach your full potential, by developing a unique and personalised plan to reach your goals. Where required, they'll work closely with Sporting Wheelies' Exercise Physiologists to best support your health and wellness. To book an appointment or find out more, please use the button below or call Spinal Life's Customer Engagement Team on 1300 774 625. Make an enquiry
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Thanks for your generosity! Thank you again for your valuable support – we are very grateful! We have emailed you a receipt for your donation for your records. Donations over $2 are tax deductible. Sporting Wheelies has recently become part of the Spinal Life Australia family, a strong, vibrant not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting people with disability live more equitable, accessible and empowered lives. Together, with your support, we can achieve greater positive impacts for people with a disability. If you have any questions about your donation, please contact us at fundraising@spinal.com.au or 1300 774 625.
Brisbane’s Jean-Paul (JP) is kicking goals in health, movement and social connection thanks to the sport of Boccia. After being introduced to the sport by his social worker, JP joined the Sporting Wheelies Inclusive Sports program and hasn’t looked back. The Inclusive Sports program gives participants aged six and over the chance to try a range of accessible sports such as wheelchair basketball, boccia, wheelchair rugby and goalball. Participants can experience many benefits such as improved physical health, increased mobility, learning new skills and making new friends. JP joined the program 11 years ago and chose to focus on Boccia after becoming hooked during a try-out day. He says he was immediately taken with the precision and competitive nature of the sport. “I saw first-hand the valuable impact the sport and community had on people just like me. Boccia introduced me to social engagement, a new sport and Sporting Wheelies to improve and maintain my physical wellbeing. This helps me to remain independent and live an active, healthy life. Boccia is also a highly competitive sport at the Paralympic level which very much appealed to me,” JP said. One sporting activity supports several goals. Boccia is helping JP to achieve his social and community participation and general health goals. One of his NDIS goals is: to build global strength and mobility to ensure he can live independently for as long as possible. “I have muscular dystrophy (FSH), a genetic condition that causes progressive wasting of the muscles. It’s important that I exercise to keep my body physically and mentally strong,” JP said. In addition to regular Boccia training, JP works with the Sporting Wheelies exercise physiologists and a personal trainer once a week. You’ll also find him working out regularly in the Sporting Wheelies accessible gym. “Working with an exercise physiologist helps me with everyday activities and sporting participation as it improves my endurance, strength and muscle control. Working out regularly over the past three years has been a huge contributing factor in helping me lose over 27 kilograms,” JP said. “It’s also improved my physical and mental wellbeing and confidence. Now, it’s easier for me to transfer from my wheelchair to a car, or my bed, be more independent in my personal care needs and I can more physically and mentally put more into activities like Boccia. I’m proud of what I’ve been able to achieve.” JP has gone on to represent Australia in Boccia on the world stage. This year he has already travelled to Italy and Chile to represent Australia. JPs approach to setting goals. Goal setting is something JP has practiced throughout his adult life - at home, in his studies, in sport and of course his NDIS Plan. “Goals provide me with a vision and a guide to what I would like to achieve in all areas of my life. By more specifically breaking down these goals, either by myself or with others like the team at Sporting Wheelies, I can develop a plan to successfully achieve my goals and overcome life’s challenges,” he explained. After returning to the Australian Boccia team and competing in Italy late last year, JP wants to continue to compete in Boccia internationally, including at the Santiago World Boccia Challenger event in Chile in 2023. The Sporting Wheelies Inclusive Sports program is available throughout Queensland, with additional programs coming soon at their newly launched Para Clubhouse in Milton. This article was first published in Leap In Magazine.
The results are in! Congratulations to the winners for the Boccia Australia National Titles. Individual Competition BC1 Gold – Christopher Allerdice (NSW) Silver – Jessica Hooper (VIC) Bronze- Dylan Schwarz (ACT) BC2 Gold – Scott Elsworth (NSW) Silver – Aaryan Shar (NSW) Bronze- Corena Harrison (ACT) BC3 Gold – Daniel Michel , RO: Ash Maddern (NSW) Silver – Jamison Leeson, RO: Jasmine Haydon (NSW) Bronze- Sam Thorne, RO: Vivian Tully (QLD) BC4 Gold – JP La Fontaine (QLD) Silver – Ryann Finn (QLD) Bronze- Jason Saadah (VIC) BC5 Gold – Thomas Robins (QLD) Silver – Phil Bates (NSW) Bronze- Conner Hamlin (NSW) Open Gold – Lilian Exton (NZ) Silver – Brent Mynott (ACT) Bronze- Fiona Porch (NSW) STATE SHIELD - Team NSW Boccia Australian Titles – Pairs and Teams results Congratulations to the following athletes, BC1,BC2 Teams Gold- QLD/TAS/NZ, Lachlan Kavanagh, Ainsley Pond, Nick Milner, Matthew Whitting Silver- NSW, Aaryan Shah, Neil Dalton, Christopher Allerdice Bronze- ACT/VIC, Jessie Hooper, Corena Harrison, Dylan Schwarz BC3 Pairs Gold- NSW 1,Daniel Michel Ramp Operator: Ashlee Maddern, Liam Titterton Ramp Operator: Piotr Paukszt, Cal Rose Ramp Operator: Joy Wang Silver- NSW 2, Jamieson Leeson Ramp Operator: Jasmine Haydon, Ange McReynolds, Ramp Operator: Matthew McDonald, Tom Ferguson Ramp operator: Teresa Kay Bronze- NSW 3, Wendy Evans Ramp Operator: Kylie Jarman, Kylie Daley Ramp Operator: Elyeene Hancock BC4/BC5 Pairs Gold- QLD 1, JP La Fontaine, Ryan Finn Silver- QLD/VIC, Thomas Robins, Jason Saadah Bronze- NSW 1, Phil Bates, Adam Alcorn Open Pairs Gold- NZ, Lilian Exton,Matthew Henderson Silver- NSW, Fiona Porch, David Lunn Bronze- QLD 1, Trina Stewart, Anthony Anderson Thanks to our sponsor Coloplast, for making this tournament possible
In an Australian-first, Queensland not-for-profit Sporting Wheelies will open the world-leading sports precinct, purpose-built for our future Paralympians and people living with a disability on Tuesday the 5th of September. The Sporting Wheelies Para Sports Clubhouse is an inclusive sports hub supporting para-athletes on the road to Brisbane 2032 and inspiring people with a disability to get active and participate in the community. Changing the game for para-athletes, the Milton centre will combine industry-leading facilities with world-class rehabilitation and support services, bringing together disability experts, allied health specialists and Para Sports coaches to improve the lives of people with a disability through co-design and innovation. Sporting Wheelies, CEO Amanda Mather said that as the peak body for Para Sport in Queensland, the organisation is committed to continuing to pioneer pathways that will set the state’s future Paralympians up for success. “Many athletes that will compete in Brisbane 2032 Paralympics haven’t had their accident yet. The Sporting Wheelies Para Sports Clubhouse aims to provide the required rehab, therapy and support to help these individuals find renewed independence and friendship through team sports,” said Mather. “The Clubhouse is about creating a space where people can find their tribe, and experience exercise and sports, designed by them, for them. When they come here, there will be so many other people going through a similar journey and they will be able to build friendships, as well as potentially build a sporting career right here at Sporting Wheelies. “Currently, people with disability have the lowest sports participation rates in the country and we want to inspire and develop the next generation of Para athletes through the support of world-leading Sports Scientists, Exercise Physiologists, Para Coaches and Paralympians,” she said. The hub will be home to multi-sports courts for Para Sports including Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Boccia, Goalball, as well as allied health services, a fully accessible gymnasium and 35 accessible car parks. “Having the latest and revolutionary therapeutic services right next to our sports courts means that people can get access to the support they need in a social and supportive setting,” said Mather. “This centre will be a game changer for people with a disability.” Ms Mather said. “This state-of-the-art facility will host regional Para Sports competitions, development camps, Para Sports sampling opportunities and attract athletes from across the nation,” she said. The vision for the Sporting Wheelies Para Sports Clubhouse has been possible with the help of the local community. “We have pulled together an amazing team of pro bono supporters who have helped Sporting Wheelies create this new centre. We thank the community, government, and the people of Queensland who have given their time and money to invest in this worthy exercise to build an amazing Clubhouse and provide Queenslander’s living with a disability the same opportunities as their able-bodied peers,” said Sporting Wheelies CEO Amanda Mather. “To be a part of this on the journey to Brisbane 2032 this centre is creating a legacy for people with a disability. We will be able to give back to people with a disability, to give them the hope so that they can reach their full potential which might even be Brisbane 2032 Paralympics,” she said. The Queensland Government provided $200,000 to Sporting Wheelies to fund air conditioning at the new Para Clubhouse to enable Queenslanders to participate in sport and recreation activities. In addition, Sporting Wheelies acknowledges the financial contribution made by the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) towards the sports courts at the new centre. The Para Sport precinct will be located at 2 Kilroe Street, Milton which will be opening on Tuesday the 5th of September, 2023.
Our Exercise Physiologists are receiving professional development on our new FES therapy, demonstrating the FES being used to stimulate "upper limb activity". This therapy can be used to regain hand grasp function and increase strength and control of arm and hand functions. This therapy can be used on arms and legs. It activates nerves to provide high intensity muscle contractions. Stimulation pads are placed over weak or paralysed muscle groups in arms, legs and core to yield high intensity muscle activation. The therapy is clinically proven to have impact on increasing muscle strength and endurance in addition to other benefits such as Improved circulation Improved cardiovascular endurance Improved joint mobility Reduced spasticity and hypertonicity Promotes neuroplasticity Assists in functional recovery Reduced muscle atrophy Increased respiration Decreased expensive secondary medical conditions and costs associated with re-hospitalization and long-term care in hospitals and/or skilled nursing facilities Contact our Exercise Physiologists to see if this therapy could be useful for your condition.