Belgravia Foundation recognises Loftus Recreation Centre for its excellent inclusive environment
Loftus Recreation Centre, operated by Belgravia Leisure, supported an application on behalf of the Western Australian Powerchair Football Association to the Channel 9 News & Bankwest's Best of the West competition – and won. Loftus have been a fantastic supporter of inclusion and access, led by Inclusion Coordinator Jess Godwin (who nominated WAPFA for the award) and Centre Manager Andrew Ng. Loftus is the home of WA’s Powerchair Football team. WA Powerchair Football Association (WAPFA) is a community based, non-profit association run by players and committed volunteers. They host the WA league of powerchair football; which is a modified version of the world game (soccer) to suit electric wheelchairs that people use for daily life and catering for all ages, genders and disabilities. It is a sport that has boomed in popularity around the world and is giving Australians living with disabilities a new way of life. "We've got that competitive spirit and compete just as hard as any other able-bodied person, said " President Jason Lewis. He understands the passion for competitive sport — as he was an Australian Rules footballer, but fractured his spine in an on-field accident 18 years ago. It took him 10 years to get back into some form of physical activity and that's when he discovered powerchair football. "Just to get that adrenaline rush and have teammates and that camaraderie, it's just amazing," Mr. Lewis said.
Belgravia Foundation acknowledges this collaboration is partly possible because of the welcoming, safe and inclusive environment Loftus Recreation Centre staff and the community provide for WAPFA and their athletes; no one misses out. Training is key in building the confidence and capacity of staff. YouMeUs is an online training resource supported by Belgravia Foundation, used to improve the knowledge and understanding of staff to recognise the diversities within our communities and create an inclusive culture in the place they work. Over 4,500 Belgravia Leisure staff have completed YouMeUs training, and the platform is incorporated into the induction process – a powerful statement of support by Belgravia Leisure reinforcing to all new staff a commitment to inclusivity. Loftus Recreation Centre is a fantastic example of how supported staff create a welcoming environment and inclusive culture for everyone in the community.
The early forms of Powerchair Football were first played in the 1970s, where teachers in France introduced an old basketball and boards for sidelines to their students who used power chairs. From here French Powerchair Football underwent many changes to become the highly competitive, three division, 30 team, sport that it is today. Separate to France, Power Soccer was developing in Canada, before the 1980s where it was being exported to the USA and Japan, and Wheelchair Football was being played in Belgium, Portugal and Switzerland. The sport first arrived in Australia in 2010 in Sydney.
It was a whirlwind start to my career playing Powerchair Football, I started playing in July 2012 and headed off to the Nationals in October the same year, Mr. Lewis, the co-founder said. It's about getting people with disabilities out and into competitive sport. There are competitions nationally and worldwide. As with most people, we all aspire to play our best and achieve our goals like our role models and heroes, and what greater opportunity and platform is there for people who use electric wheelchairs to fulfil their sporting dreams than through Powerchair Football.
Mr. Lewis said, "If we can eventually get enough money for a couple of chairs, we can have them here so young people can try the sport." Training is back in action Wednesdays and Sundays at Loftus Recreation Centre for further information check the website - https://www.loftusrecreationcentre.com.au/
Loftus Recreation Centre is a multipurpose sporting and fitness facility located on the corner of Vincent and Loftus Streets in Leederville, Western Australia. For the past 30 years Loftus has been the hub in the Leederville community providing health and fitness solutions with something for everyone to enjoy. It is an inclusive facility in which everyone is welcome. Every person has the right to join into the gym, any Group Fitness Class or sporting activity in the large, well-equipped 24/7 gym, group fitness and cycling studios. Loftus also offers a range of team sporting competitions for all ages and abilities. If you've ever wanted to play social netball, soccer (football), volleyball or basketball, Loftus is the place to be.
