Hundreds of people experienced a range of Para and adaptive sports as part of the successful Sport on Courts disability day hosted at The Peak in Rototuna on Saturday 10 October.
Rototuna Indoor Recreation Centre Trust, which runs the Peak and Parafed Waikato were awarded funding for the day-long initiative through the Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) Bupa Inclusive Para Sport Grant.
The event attracted more than 450 participants and their whanau which gave participants the chance to try a range of Para sports including; Boccia, Wheelchair basketball, Wheelchair rugby and Para badminton.
Other adaptive sports on offer were ju-jitsu, pickleball, powerchair football, wheelchair rugby league and adaptive trikes and bikes.
Paralympian #229 Devon Briggs who participated in several Para sports on the day, showcased his Commonwealth Games gold and bronze medals he won at Glasgow 2026.
The day fostering inclusive participation, whānau integration, education and awareness of Para sport.
Parafed Waikato Sport Development Officer Cathy Wooller said: “The day surpassed our expectations. People were so engaged and many stayed all day. The ju-jitsu instructors were lovely. They taught them all the moves on the mats and what it reinforced to me that our disabled community don’t want to be wrapped in cotton wool. They want to be engaged in sport just like the non-disabled.”
Wooller says that some participants signed up to continue to compete in other sports which will help the growth of the Para sport community in Waikato.
“Our main focus is to keep our members active and to give them the same opportunities offered to all New Zealanders. The key to the day was inclusivity. This is not just for the participants but the whole family. To watch some parents on the sidelines relaxing and chatting to other parents to share their experiences, making social connections was very rewarding.”
The Waikato initiative is one of eight projects around the country sharing $73,000 in funding from the PNZ Bupa Inclusive Para Sport Grant.
There were 28 applications for the grants, with more than 1200 disabled New Zealanders, coaches, whānau, friends, volunteers and people new to Para sport expected to benefit from the successful projects.
