Thanks to the combined efforts of Touch NZ and Parafed Northland, a Northland Secondary Schools Turbo Touch event, that was entirely inclusive, was held during term three.

Wheelchair Turbo Touch was offered alongside the annual Year 9&10 event held in the McKay Stadium. Students from Years 9 to 13 were involved in the teams making up the wheelchair division. The tournament was a natural progression following an educational process, by Touch NZ in some Northland Secondary Schools, that focussed not so much on the game of Turbo Touch but on the possibility that playing sport can still occur despite being in a wheelchair.

Touch NZ Northland Team Leader, Steven Beazley said, “It was an awesome opportunity to collaborate with Parafed Northland and to show case an inclusive day for all, to be involved in sport. The smiles on the faces of the students participating spoke for itself.”

As an athlete living with an impairment as an amputee, Steven relishes the opportunity to give back to sport and in doing so create new opportunities for rangitahi of all abilities on a level playing field. Through Turbo Touch he hopes that he can raise the awareness of an adaptable sport for all- Play it. Love it.

In providing this awesome opportunity, special mention must be made of supporters and partners Parafed Northland, Halberg Foundation, Foundation North and Sport Northland. Acknowledgement also to Dawn Dutton for capturing this amazing photo.

Article added: Wednesday 30 September 2020