Wheelchair Basketball Brings Amber Back to Sport

Wheelchair Basketball Brings Amber Back to Sport

For more than two years Amber-Lee Lawrie has been waiting patiently for a chance to get back into team sport, ever since the 14-year-old was diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma (a tumour on her spine that has caused paralysis below the waist).

Now thanks to Halberg Disability Sport Coordinator Maia Lewis (Counties-Manukau) and two colleagues, Amber-Lee has overcome the barriers to participation by joining Auckland’s first-ever wheelchair basketball programme.

“I’m really enjoying wheelchair basketball and being in the six-week programme as I am finally able to fully participate in a sport with others like me,” Amber-Lee says.

“It means I am equal with the others on the team, and because we’re all in wheelchairs I can talk about difficulties I have with them and they understand.”

Her teammates understanding combined with the chance to play sport competitively again is just what the Waiuku College student has been looking for.

A keen sportswoman prior to being diagnosed, netball and touch rugby were Amber-Lees sports of choice. But having to use a wheelchair for mobility after developing paralysis, she has been unable to participate because “much of the school sport is on the field and is not suitable for a wheelchair”.

The six-week programme is currently in its second week and is held every Tuesday 5-6pm at the Auckland Spinal Unit in Otara. It’s not just about training though, as the programme will culminate in an Auckland-wide competition between players from the same programmes being run by the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation in North Harbour and Waitakere.

All physically disabled young people 21 years old and under are welcome to take to the courts in the wheelchairs provided and give the sport a go.

“Amber has been waiting patiently for an opportunity like this to come up in her region, so it is awesome to see Amber-Lee getting involved in a team sport again and really enjoying it,” Lewis says of the programme she helped organise alongside fellow Disability Sport Coordinators Chris Smith (Auckland and North Harbour) and Stacey Roche (Waitakere).

Held in collaboration with the Auckland Wheelbreakers, the wheelchair basketball programmes are also being held 4-5:30pm on Wednesdays until June 10 at The Trusts Stadium in Waitakere, and on Thursdays from June 27, 4-5:20pm at the North Shore Events Centre.

“The Auckland Wheelbreakers have really come on board and see it as a great opportunity to grow, nurture and develop future players,” Lewis says.

“By providing quality coaches for programmes in Counties-Manukau, Waitakere and North Shore the Wheelbreakers are also really helping to remove the barrier of long distance travel. Their experience and skills are also a fantastic resource for physically disabled young people to draw on as we move to establish a really competitive league in Auckland.”

What: Wheelchair Basketball 6-week programme
Where: Auckland Spinal Unit, Otara (Bairds Rd)
When: Tuesday’s until June 9, 5-6pm

To register your interest or for more information, please contact Maia Lewis (Halberg Disability Sport Coordinator) at maia@halberg.co.nz

About the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation
Founded in 1963 by Olympic legend Sir Murray Halberg (ONZ), the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation enhances the lives of physically disabled young people by enabling them to participate in sport. Through the AllSports programme, the Foundation provides funding to help cover the additional costs of adaptive sporting equipment and coaching. Disability Sport Coordinators also work with clubs, facilities and events to ensure their sporting opportunities are accessible to everyone. Sir Murray Halberg’s vision is to live in a society where all young people – regardless of their ability – have an equal opportunity to participate in sport. With generous support from sponsors and supporters, the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation can continue to strive towards Sir Murray’s vision, and make a real difference to the lives of thousands of young New Zealanders.

www.allsportsnz.org.nz

ENDS

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