Caloundra Stadium will play host to the nation’s largest wheelchair sporting event in January, with the 15th annual Suncoast Spinners wheelchair basketball tournament.
Over 20 teams from around Australia will converge to play across three grades: B Grade – Beginners; A Grade – Experienced; Premier Grade – Elite.
Tournament runs from 13th to 15th January, 2023 at Caloundra Stadium, Sunshine Coast.
Teams from NSW, SA, QLD and VIC will all be at the event, including the Australian Under 25 women’s squad.
Suncoast Spinners will have a number of members from its Kids Club program compete in the B Grade competition in mixed-age teams. The youngest player is eight years old and has been playing wheelchair basketball with the Suncoast Spinners since he was five years old.
While the tournament has a social and community focus, it is also a platform for national coaches to see the talent coming through the clubs. And finding 2032 Paralympians is never too far from everyone’s minds.
The tournament is free for spectators, so be sure to head along and cheer on the Suncoast Spinners teams!
Got time to spare? They also need volunteers to help with score bench duties. Email Suncoast Spinners here if you can help.
Why are wheelchair sports so important for kids?
Children with disabilities will often face stigma and discrimination throughout their childhood, potentially denying them opportunities that are essential to their social development and mental well-being. However, Children’s disability sport can vastly help to reduce this gap – boosting self-esteem, perceived physical competence and peer acceptance.
What is Reverse Inclusivity, and how does it help further?
In 2017, Suncoast Spinners developed the Reverse Inclusion Initiative. This program encourages people without a disability to play wheelchair sports alongside people with a disability. The wheelchair is a piece of equipment the equalises the playing field.
This enables children with a disability to enjoy team sports with friends and family, of all abilities. It also helps to grow the sport, which in turn grows sporting opportunities for people with disability.
This allows for a truly inclusive sport and recreation environment, where everyone is welcome.
You don’t need to know how to play or even to have a wheelchair! All abilities are invited to come and join in the fun. No matter what your age, from 6 to 60!
Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Basketball Kids Club at Caloundra Stadium
Suncoast Spinners Kids Club started in 2021 with just 3 kids. Already the club has 12 kids and will have kids playing in the upcoming January tournament. If your child is interested in joining the kids club, see here.
About Suncoast Spinners
Suncoast Spinners Wheelchair Basketball Inc. is a volunteer based, not-for-profit incorporated association which has operated on the Sunshine Coast for over 20 years. Starting as a group of friends who met weekly to play wheelchair basketball, the club has developed to deliver a weekly social program, school workshops, community events and an annual wheelchair basketball tournament, which attracts players from all over Australia.
Visit the Suncoast Spinners website and Facebook page to find out more and get involved.
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Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and beyond, Kids on the Coast is an online guide for parents with kids events, attractions & things to do with kids, schools and education, school holiday guides, health & wellbeing for families, parenting and lifestyle news located on Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Brisbane, QLD.
