More young athletes with disabilities are set to take part in this year’s Zespri Aims Games, with adapted sport registrations nearly three times higher than last year.

The Games, running from September 5-11, provide dedicated pathways for Year 7-8 students with physical, sensory or intellectual disabilities, with inclusion categories offered in four individual sports: cross-country, table tennis, indoor bowls and swimming.

Ninety-two Adapted Sport Athlete (ASA) registrations had been made for this year’s Games, according to Parafed Bay of Plenty play and youth leader Jo Jackson.

That does not necessarily represent 92 individual students because some athletes may compete in more than one sport, but Jackson said the increase was a positive sign.

She believes a series of “Have A Go” sessions held earlier this year had helped encourage more young people to give adapted sports a try.

Parafed Bay of Plenty worked with the Aims Games team, Table Tennis New Zealand and local schools to introduce students to table tennis and indoor bowls at sessions held at Te Puke Intermediate in April.

Perception shattered

“There was a perception, if you like, of ‘they won’t be able to play table tennis’,” Jackson said.

“And then they were like, ‘Oh, we can’.”

The sessions gave students the opportunity to discover that they could participate, helping build confidence and generate greater interest in the tournament.

“It’s sort of helped drum up more interest,” Jackson said.

The adapted cross-country event at Waipuna Park for the Aims Games would feature a dedicated two-lap, 800-metre grass course. Athletes must be able to complete the course, with placings determined by the order competitors cross the finish line.

The adapted sports pathways were intended for athletes whose disabilities mean they couldn’t compete equitably against non-disabled peers in open events.

However, Jackson said inclusion was not necessarily limited to dedicated adapted categories.

Athletes with disabilities could compete in other Aims Games sports where appropriate, with organisers and others working together to make reasonable modifications where needed.

Organisers said they knew of adapted athletes competing as open athletes in rock climbing, golf and mountain biking this year.

“They can go in other sports, and then people work as a team to modify it so it’s fair for everybody,” Jackson said.

The focus

For Jackson, that approach was an important part of playing sports being genuinely inclusive.

Jackson, who has been working at Parafed Bay of Plenty for almost seven years, said her organisation enjoyed a positive relationship with the Aims Games team and tournament director Kelly Schischka.

“What I love is nothing’s too much trouble for Kelly and the team,” Jackson said.

“They’re so easy to work with and talk to and take on board anything. I really enjoy it.”

The focus of the adapted events was on participation, personal achievement and enjoyment, while ensuring athletes have the opportunity to experience the competition and camaraderie of the Aims Games alongside their peers.

“The growth in ASA registrations is exciting and demonstrates the value of giving young people the chance to try something new,” Jackson said.