BSSC Year 11 students were given a different perspective on team sports this morning during a wheelchair basketball session in the gym.
Gary Connor is a keen hand-cyclist and works as an ambassador for Disability Sport and Recreation Victoria. He arrived at BSSC with a fleet of basketball wheelchairs and quickly established a great rapport with the class.
But, as the students hit the stadium it soon became apparent how challenging this game can be.
“It was fun, but I’m puffing a bit,” said Bailey McGee. “It’s harder on your upper body and shoulders than you realise.”
In wheelchair basketball the hands are required to both keep you moving and keep the ball in play.
“It wasn’t easy,” said Montana Maud. “You really had to coordinate.”
Ella Freeman agreed. “It must be so hard to get used to.”
However Gary did a great job. Students were soon rolling up and down the court, taking shots and many mastered the art of retrieving the ball by holding it against the wheel to ‘roll’ it up from the floor.
All up, a very entertaining session with much enthusiasm from the exchange bench.
