Sport and recreation for all abilities

Having a stroke can mean that you’re unable to do some of the things you did before your stroke or that you have to modify the ways you do things. Your participation in sport and recreation might look different after your stroke. It might mean letting go of previous sporting pursuits, using aids or equipment to help you participate or exploring new sporting and recreation interests. We’ve designed this blog to help you navigate returning to sport and leisure activities.

“Brain scans reveal benefits of a cardio workout for stroke survivors” – The Florey.

Sports can include but are not limited to: archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach or coast activities, biathlon, billiards, BMX, bocce, bowls, boxing, canoeing, cricket, croquet, cycling, dance, diving, fishing, football (AFL), golf, gymnastics, hockey, ice skating, judo, netball, rowing, rugby, running, sailing, skate, snow sports, squash, surfing, swimming, table tennis, tai chi, tennis, yoga.

National

Disability Sports Australia is Australia’s peak national body representing athletes with a physical disability. If you know what sports you are interested in, you can follow this link, click on your chosen sport and see what is available in your state.

Going to the beach is an important part of Australian culture that’s why the Australian accessible beach directory has been created to ensure everyone including the four million Australians living with a disability have access to Australia’s beautiful beaches. On this website you can locate beaches all over Australia with accessible pathways, accessible parking, accessible toilets, beach matting and floating beach wheelchairs.

VIC

Access for all Abilities Play (AAA Play) provides an entry point for people of all abilities who are wanting to seek out sports and recreation. Drawing on their network of State Sporting Associations, community clubs, local governments and disability specific sports and recreation providers they can work exclusively with you to find a suitable sport or recreation activity.

To find an activity: https://aaavic.org.au/find-an-activity

To contact AAA Play: Phone the AAA Play hotline: 1800 222 842, send an email to request@aaavic.org.au

NSW

Specific sports and organisations for people with a disability: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/findaclub/sport/peopledisability

To contact Disability Sports NSW: Phone 02 8736 1220

Yogavana is adapted yoga for brain and spinal cord injury: http://www.yogavana.com.au/about-us.html

To contact Yogavana: Send an email to lisa@yogavana.com.au

Royal Rehab Empowering Independence can help you get back to the things you love or try something new

To find an activity: https://www.royalrehab.com.au/rehab-services/supports-home-and-community/adaptive-sport-recreation-and-leisure-services

To contact Royal Rehab: Phone 02 9809 6071

SA

Inclusive Sport SA is building an inclusive community through sport and recreation to enable people living with a disability to access regular sporting opportunities in the general community.

To find an activity: http://inclusivesportsa.com.au/play-sport/

To contact Inclusive Sports SA: Phone: 8122 6730, send an email to jrabet@inclusivesportsa.com.au

WA

WA Disabled Sports Association Inc (WADSA) is aiming to enhance the lives of people living with disabilities in WA through empowering them to participate in Sport and Recreation.

To find an activity: https://www.wadsa.org.au/wd_category/activities/

To contact WADSA: Phone: 08 9470 1442, send an email reception@wadsa.org.au

TAS

Physical disABILITY Sports (PDS) provides people with a physical disABILITY the opportunity to participate in sport and recreation at a social, national or international level.

To find an activity: https://www.pdstasmania.org/sports/

To contact PDS: Phone: (03) 6272 7513, send an email pdst@paraquadtas.org.au

• Parks for all people offers access for the mobility impaired in some of Tasmania’s most beautiful national parks and reserves. Tasmania offers incredible, and most accessible, facilities and recreational opportunities for people who are mobility impaired.

To find a park and reserve: https://www.parks.tas.gov.au/file.aspx?id=6359

QLD

The following organisations provide sport and recreation services for people with a disability in Queensland: https://www.qld.gov.au/disability/out-and-about/sport-recreation/playing-social-sport

To contact QLD GOVT Sport & Recreation: Phone: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)

NT

Total Recreation provides sport and recreational opportunities for adults, young people and children over 9 years old with intellectual, psychiatric or physical disabilities or acquired brain injury.

To find an activity: https://www.totalrecreation.org.au/programs

To contact Total Recreation: Phone: 08 8981 3686, send an email reception@wadsa.org.au

ACT

The disability Trust is a fun focused recreation service providing opportunities for all ages with disabilities to participate in and enjoy physical and creative activities. They have programs and support options for children, teenagers and adults that provide opportunities to meet people, learn new skills, play in competitions, perform on stage and develop your creative side. Activities include soccer, gym, tennis, netball, swimming, cricket, football, music, theatre and drama, basketball, dance, tee ball, ten pin bowling, art and craft.

Programs that are available for 2019: ACT Queanbeyan 2019 Programs

To contact the disability Trust: Phone: 1300 347 224

This blog has been written as a service directory. If getting back to a sport you once loved or exploring a new leisure pursuit is one of your goals, head to the National section and click on the link to Disability Sports Australia. This will direct you to what is available in your state.

If you are having any difficulties navigating your way through this blog or want tailored advice on sports and leisure after stroke call StrokeLine on 1800 878 653 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm), email strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au or comment below.

Please share your own experience and photos if you are engaging in a sport or leisure activity after stroke. We would love to hear your stories and share your experience with other stroke survivors on enableme.

StrokeLine