City gets grant to create parasport program

Wheelchair basketball, sledge hockey among activities to be offered starting Sept. 6

Orilliamatters.com
August 17, 2018
Nathan Taylor

Elliott Williamson used to have to travel to Vaughan to play wheelchair basketball, but he’ll soon be able to enjoy the sport in Orillia.

The city has received a $65,000 grant from the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund to offer parasport opportunities in town.

“I’m really happy there’s going to be something local,” said Williamson, a student at Lakehead University. “There’s a big need for accessibility and inclusivity. Orillia’s on the right path, but there’s nothing in terms of parasport.”

Williamson was born with bilateral fibular hemimelia, a congenital birth defect with no known cause. He was born without a fibula on on his right leg, with a shorter fibula on his left, and three toes on each foot. He underwent 17 operations but ultimately had his right leg amputated about four years ago, when he was 17.

“There’s a stigma around people with disabilities and people with disabilities playing sports, and when you’re playing a game, you lose that quickly,” he said.

He will be doing more than playing; he’s being hired as an assistant instructor for the local program.

“I really love that role because it’s different from what I’m used to and it helps me learn, too,” said Williamson, who is studying concurrent education. “It’ll help me be a better teacher, too.”

Activities that will be offered through the program include trail biking, wheelchair basketball, seated volleyball, sledge hockey and, eventually, innertube water polo.

The city will offer two five-week sessions every quarter, starting Sept. 6, at Twin Lakes Secondary School. The sessions will run every Tuesday and Thursday. They are for people 16 and older.

It will fill a gap locally, said Chris Gammon, the city’s sport program supervisor.

 

“It’s a really underserviced demographic,” he said. “We make programs inclusive of people with disabilities, but we don’t have programs specifically for people with disabilities.”

This one will be fully inclusive for them, but those without disabilities are also encouraged to take part.

“A program like this is great because it will involve the whole community, not just disabled athletes,” Williamson said.

It will “definitely make Orillia unique,” Gammon said, adding he hopes it eventually allows the city to host parasport tournaments and offer leagues.

The cost to participate is $50 per five-week session. Paralympic athlete Brad Bowden will be an instructor. That is being made possible by the non-profit All Sports All People.

For more information, contact Gammon at 705-325-2050 or cgammon@orillia.ca.