Goulburn Valley Gangarru Parasports adopts reverse inclusion model ahead of exhibition game

Ahead of a clash at Shepparton Sports Stadium on Thursday night against The Sharks, a side formed for this trial exhibition, the wheelchair basketball realm in the region is set to look more accessible as a reverse inclusion model comes into play.

What that means, in essence, is that the Notre Dame-trained Sharks outfit will field able-bodied players who wish to compete, meaning they will sit in the same chairs as existing para-athletes and play under the same conditions.

Crediting Basketball Victoria for helping bring the Gangarru outfit back into prominence after difficulties caused by the pandemic, Parasports executive director Simon Fox spoke of the struggles of making the sport viable.

“Disability sports would likely not survive without the able-bodied contingent. That’s just pure numbers,” Fox said.

“Essentially, we’re starting to pitch that the best way to continue from here on is to create domestic comps in rural grassroots settings to increase the competitive nature as well as the socialisation around it.

“For a long time, you’d have to travel three times a week for potentially two hours each way to train, and that’s not viable long-term for people with disabilities.

“Sports are down in participation since COVID and we want to provide these opportunities for people to participate.”

Participation rates are, obviously, a worthy priority and one to promote boosting swiftly.

On top of that, though, stigma-breaking and open-mindedness among the potentially interested also sit on the agenda, Fox said.

“This will be the trial to work out what goes well and what doesn’t,” Fox said.

“Someone might ask why people would want to play if they don’t have a disability, or whether it would be wrong to do so, but it’s not wrong.

“We see more opportunities where people have shared their lived experiences.

“The game certainly changes for you as well. Your perspective changes from a normal standing position and there’s obviously no jumping, so you do get an appreciation for people using their arms and legs.”

Finally, Fox encourages spectators to come and have a look — or a try for themselves — as efforts to foster an environment around the sport continue.

“It could be the only way for disability sport to thrive in the community,” Fox said.

“People should come and have some fun. If you have an injury that’s stopped you from playing, why not come give this a go?”