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This online lecture will feature a panel of health experts, parents and individuals who can provide insight on how to promote sport and recreation opportunities and facilitate participation in physical activity for children with physical disability. Research shows children with a disability engage in less physical activity compared to their typically developing peers.
Participation in sport and recreation supports physical and mental health and wellbeing, as well as social engagement and belonging.
Noula Gibson (APAM, PhD) is a physiotherapist and research coordinator for Perth Children's Hospital. Noula has an interest in supporting fun, physical activity opportunities for children with disabilities. She was instrumental in developing a research project and receiving grant funding to investigate a running intervention for children with cerebral palsy, with the aim of improving the motor skill of running and increasing activity and participation. The trial, ”X-celerate-Running in Cerebral Palsy”, went on to be extended as a PhD study for which Noula supervised the PhD candidate. Since publication of this work , Noula has developed and delivered over 10 workshops, nationally and internationally on the program, including many for the APA. She has supervised other physiotherapy research projects looking at novel participation interventions for children with disabilities including aquatic high intensity interval training and bungie trampolining. Noula was fortunate to work with Rob Geersen on evaluating the psychosocial and physical benefits of participating in Starkick. Coach resources developed from this work are available on the WA football commission website for new coaches of Starkick. Noula's current physical activity focus is working with consumers and other stakeholders to develop Frame Running in WA as both a competitive sport and recreational opportunity. She is currently coaching two athletes in the sport, an older adult with CP and a teen with an acquired brain injury who both have competitive aspirations
Natalie Alexander was born with Arthrogryposis, which is characterised by multiple joint contractures and involves muscle weakness found throughout the body at birth. Ever since she was a kid, Natalie has led an active lifestyle. She first started taking part in athletics, swimming and tennis prior to finding her true passion in wheelchair basketball. Natalie is a member of the Australian Gliders (the Australian Wheelchair Basketball team) and among her most notable success, has won a silver medal in both the 2011 and 2015 Under 25 Women's Wheelchair Basketball World Championships as well as a bronze medal at the 2016 Osaka Cup to follow up a gold medal in 2013. She recently competed at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo last year, where the Gliders placed 9th in the world. Natalie has been a member of Rebound WA for over 20 years and is passionate about sport being accessible to all. Rebound WA is an association that helps people living with a physical disability get involved in sport and recreation and provides education to community groups through their Wheel Life program. Natalie is also an advocate of living an active lifestyle, and the importance of being physically active to aid physical and mental wellbeing. She frequently visits hospitals around Perth to discuss options for others seeking sports and recreation involvement. When not on the basketball court, Natalie enjoys travelling and spending time with her niece and nephews.
Rob Geersen grew up playing and connecting to his community through Football. As a father he wanted nothing more than for his own children to experience the same simple joys of belonging, having fun and enjoying the game that gave him so much. However, life took an unexpected turn that opened his eyes and set him on a new course, after his youngest son fell seriously ill. In 2015, Rob founded and launched a program for children with a disability, enabling them to participate in sport within their local community. That program is called Starkick and has since been recognised with various state and national awards. Along his journey, Rob has been his Clubs President, a Committee Member, as well as a Board member of other Not for Profit organisations. He has also recently taken on a position with the West Australian Football Commission, overseeing the expansion of Starkick into more community clubs across WA. Throughout however, and still to this day, Rob has continued with his one consistent passion, as a Coach of his local clubs, and his sons Starkick team. That team, as do all Starkick teams, continue to follow one simple mantra, to deliver on their promise “If you want to play, we will find a way!”
Disability and Paediatric National Group
08/09/2022
1.0 Hours
Please note: The content of this Lecture on Demand (LOD) was captured via a recording of a live lecture at the APA premises. Due to the nature of the event and the recording method, this LOD may not have captured some of the questions/comments from live audience. Your purchase of this module indicates your acceptance of this.
