Wheelchair sports

Wheelchair sports and activities are gaining more acceptance year on year as the number of participants increase and media interest grows.

The Paralymipic Games is one of the sports competition organized to provide a place for competitor with disabilities to showcase their amazing talents and skills. There is both a summer and winter Paralympic Games . This competition following the respective Olympic Games. Swimming, Rugby, Basket ball, Tennis, Track and field, Marathons, clay pigeon shooting, and archery are just a few of the organised outdoor activities available to wheelchair users. Table tennis, pool, and other indoor sports are also available. Additionally, Boccia,(pronounced /ˈbɒtʃə/, BOCH-ə), is a test of muscle control and accuracy, requiring high focus and concentration. It is a special sport governed by the International Boccia Commission (a committee of the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA)). It is open to athletes with cerebral palsy or related neurological conditions who use a wheelchair.

The importance of keeping as active as possible for us all cannot be over emphasised. The health benefits in later life are potentially enormous.



Here in Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association - Sport is the national governing body (NGB) in Ireland for sport for people with physical disability. According to their website

"IWA Sport promotes sport and recreation through clubs, IWA Resource Centers and schools. The service also supports high performance athletes in reaching their full potential at both National and International Standard. Our high performance athletes represent Ireland at European Championships, World Championships and Paralympic Games. IWA sport is heavily involved with the Paralympic Council of Ireland."
Click here to download their Registration form

Outdoor pursuits are great for ones well being. Fishing is one occupation that has been geared toward the wheelchair user in recent years. Checkout Fishing in Ireland.

The same is true for activity holidays. Skying is just one example of a Wheelchair sports that are available. Specially adapted equipment, including chairs with single or dual skies, caters for very many different levels of ability.

Even Wimbledon recognise the importance of Wheelchair sports. It has now opened up to both men and women in wheelchairs. Wimbledon 2009 saw Korie Homan and Esther Vergeer (NED) secure victory in the inaugural Wimbledon Women's Wheelchair Doubles final. Homan and Vergeer, the world’s top two singles and doubles players earned victory over Daniela di Toro (AUS) and Lucy Shuker (GBR) in the women's final. Men have played at Wimbledon since 2002.

Here is a list of the sports that disabled people get involved with. Many of them are Wheelchair sports. Don't forget that sport not only provides good exercise it is also highly sociable and good for the morale. More details are available for the underlined sports below on the Disabled World website.

Remember that wheelchair exercises become most important when you take part in any sport be it a competitive sport or individual pursuit.

Return to Home Page from Wheelchair sports or Wheelchair Exercises