Festival of Disability Sport returns to Tauranga with Warriors' support
Baypark Arena will host a multitude of sporting codes during the action-packed weekend – from badminton, boccia and cricket, to wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball.
Sailing sessions will be run by Sailability Tauranga at Sulphur Point on Saturday from 10am. The Tri Games – lawn bowls, petanque, and croquet – will be at Club Mount Maunganui the same day from 2pm.
Parafed Bay of Plenty board member and wheelchair rugby player Amanda Lowry said this year's Festival of Disability Sport built on what had been established in the past five years.
'Every year the festival is growing, and we are able to offer more competitive opportunities to our sporting community, this year introducing rugby league to the already stacked agenda.'
Lowry said the festival was for anybody with a physical disability, including low vision and hearing impairments, as well as whānau, friends and supporters.
Have-a-go sessions
She said there will be have-a-go sessions on offer at Baypark throughout the weekend, which were fully inclusive for all to enjoy and were 'really important for families with younger tamariki who haven't found their sporting passion yet'.
'We want them to fall in love with disability sport – they are the athletes of the future.'
A formal awards evening event at Baypark's Stadium Lounge on May 11 wouldcelebrate athletes competing nationally and internationally.
'We recognise the barriers that they have overcome to put Aotearoa and disability sport on the map,' Lowry said.
She encouraged anyone unfamiliar with disability sport to check out the festival.
'You will be blown away by the athleticism and the skill of our athletes, you might even get a chance to jump in a chair and give it a bash,' Lowry said.
'Watching disability sport paves the way for alternative thinking about difference – it expands ideas about athleticism, and highlights the importance of inclusion.'
There would be two-day national tournaments for both wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball as part of the festival.
A market in the foyer will offer physio and sports massage, and stalls providing information on a range of products and programmes.
Warriors visit
Healthvision's Debra Williams said the festival was not just about sport, 'it's a powerful celebration of inclusion and the inspiring spirit of those who push boundaries every day'.
Warriors Community Foundation chief executive Lincoln Jefferson said on top of the skills and drills session, his team would lead a wheelchair rugby league showdown game on Sunday, with members of the community welcome to join in.
'Sport is for everyone. The Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport is all about giving it a go, celebrating inclusion, and having fun – whether you're playing, supporting, or just getting involved.'
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NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Festival of Disability Sport returns to Tauranga with Warriors' support
Baypark Arena will host a multitude of sporting codes during the action-packed weekend – from badminton, boccia and cricket, to wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball. Sailing sessions will be run by Sailability Tauranga at Sulphur Point on Saturday from 10am. The Tri Games – lawn bowls, petanque, and croquet – will be at Club Mount Maunganui the same day from 2pm. Parafed Bay of Plenty board member and wheelchair rugby player Amanda Lowry said this year's Festival of Disability Sport built on what had been established in the past five years. 'Every year the festival is growing, and we are able to offer more competitive opportunities to our sporting community, this year introducing rugby league to the already stacked agenda.' Lowry said the festival was for anybody with a physical disability, including low vision and hearing impairments, as well as whānau, friends and supporters. Have-a-go sessions She said there will be have-a-go sessions on offer at Baypark throughout the weekend, which were fully inclusive for all to enjoy and were 'really important for families with younger tamariki who haven't found their sporting passion yet'. 'We want them to fall in love with disability sport – they are the athletes of the future.' A formal awards evening event at Baypark's Stadium Lounge on May 11 wouldcelebrate athletes competing nationally and internationally. 'We recognise the barriers that they have overcome to put Aotearoa and disability sport on the map,' Lowry said. She encouraged anyone unfamiliar with disability sport to check out the festival. 'You will be blown away by the athleticism and the skill of our athletes, you might even get a chance to jump in a chair and give it a bash,' Lowry said. 'Watching disability sport paves the way for alternative thinking about difference – it expands ideas about athleticism, and highlights the importance of inclusion.' There would be two-day national tournaments for both wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball as part of the festival. A market in the foyer will offer physio and sports massage, and stalls providing information on a range of products and programmes. Warriors visit Healthvision's Debra Williams said the festival was not just about sport, 'it's a powerful celebration of inclusion and the inspiring spirit of those who push boundaries every day'. Warriors Community Foundation chief executive Lincoln Jefferson said on top of the skills and drills session, his team would lead a wheelchair rugby league showdown game on Sunday, with members of the community welcome to join in. 'Sport is for everyone. The Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport is all about giving it a go, celebrating inclusion, and having fun – whether you're playing, supporting, or just getting involved.'
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Harry Referees For Parafed For Fun
Press Release – SociaLink Harry will be volunteering at the Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport next week on May 10 and11 May at Baypark Arena. Harry Jackson has been volunteering as a referee for Parafed Bay of Plenty's games of boccia for several years now. Harry, 23, doesn't have a disability himself, but he's been a committed volunteer with Parafed BOP for several years. He's grown up with a parent with a disability – his mum Jo has an arm missing and suffers from chronic pain syndrome – so he has a unique understanding of what it means to feel included in community life and sport. Jo is Parafed BOP's Play and Youth Lead, and Harry says she's his inspiration. She takes programmes about disabled athletes into schools. 'She's just an awesome person, and she's the reason I got involved.' He's refereed games of boccia, a game like petanque or bowls, which is ideal for people playing with a disability. He's also refereed badminton games, and is learning to become a coach. It's quite a contrast to his full-time job as a butcher. 'Volunteering is something cool to do, and you meet some really awesome people. I do about an hour a week of refereeing badminton on a Thursday.' Parafed Festival Coordinator Suzanne Morrison says Harry has a deep understanding of inclusion and the importance of creating welcoming spaces for everyone. 'He's volunteered at the Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport and is a regular helper at Parafed's Rotorua programmes, including boccia, badminton, tenpin bowling and the Amazing Race. His calm, friendly nature and willingness to pitch in make him a valued part of the team.' Harry will be volunteering at the Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport next week on May 10 and 11 May at Baypark Arena. The Festival is a high-energy two-day event bringing together physically disabled athletes from throughout New Zealand, competing in multiple sports codes, including wheelchair rugby and basketball. As well as the sports competitions, there will be have-a-go sessions with inclusive badminton, boccia, cricket and rugby league games. There are bowling, petanque and croquet 'Tri Games' on Saturday at Club Mount Maunganui. Sailability will be held on the water at Sulphur Point Marina, and there is an awards dinner on the Saturday night. Anybody with a physical disability, including low vision and hearing impairments and their whānau, friends and supporters can come along, and the have-a-go sessions are fully inclusive for everyone to participate.
Scoop
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Harry Referees For Parafed For Fun
Harry Jackson has been volunteering as a referee for Parafed Bay of Plenty's games of boccia for several years now. Harry, 23, doesn't have a disability himself, but he's been a committed volunteer with Parafed BOP for several years. He's grown up with a parent with a disability - his mum Jo has an arm missing and suffers from chronic pain syndrome - so he has a unique understanding of what it means to feel included in community life and sport. Jo is Parafed BOP's Play and Youth Lead, and Harry says she's his inspiration. She takes programmes about disabled athletes into schools. 'She's just an awesome person, and she's the reason I got involved.' He's refereed games of boccia, a game like petanque or bowls, which is ideal for people playing with a disability. He's also refereed badminton games, and is learning to become a coach. It's quite a contrast to his full-time job as a butcher. 'Volunteering is something cool to do, and you meet some really awesome people. I do about an hour a week of refereeing badminton on a Thursday.' Parafed Festival Coordinator Suzanne Morrison says Harry has a deep understanding of inclusion and the importance of creating welcoming spaces for everyone. 'He's volunteered at the Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport and is a regular helper at Parafed's Rotorua programmes, including boccia, badminton, tenpin bowling and the Amazing Race. His calm, friendly nature and willingness to pitch in make him a valued part of the team.' Harry will be volunteering at the Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport next week on May 10 and 11 May at Baypark Arena. The Festival is a high-energy two-day event bringing together physically disabled athletes from throughout New Zealand, competing in multiple sports codes, including wheelchair rugby and basketball. As well as the sports competitions, there will be have-a-go sessions with inclusive badminton, boccia, cricket and rugby league games. There are bowling, petanque and croquet "Tri Games" on Saturday at Club Mount Maunganui. Sailability will be held on the water at Sulphur Point Marina, and there is an awards dinner on the Saturday night. Anybody with a physical disability, including low vision and hearing impairments and their whānau, friends and supporters can come along, and the have-a-go sessions are fully inclusive for everyone to participate.
