France and Australia Gold continue winning form at basketball Worlds

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The French men’s team and the Australia Gold women’s team recorded their latest victories at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships in Loano, Italy, on Wednesday (22 November).

France’s 73-57 win over Japan saw them strengthen their position at the top of group one with four points. They followed-up on their triumph over Poland in their opening match on Tuesday (21 November).

Japan and Poland, the other two teams in the group, remain without a win.

In the women’s, Australia Gold recorded their third straight win at the Palagarassini Stadium.

They were the victors over the second Australian team, Australia Green.

The Greens kept the Golds contained in the opening few minutes. However Eliza Mills was too much for them to handle, scoring an impressive six points. The final score was 13-1

Earlier that day Australia Green took on France. In what was a low-scoring, physical game, the Greens forced the match into overtime in the final minute before scoring again to decide the 10-1 result.

Jess McCulloch was the top scorer for the Greens with four points. Nicole Harris also had a great game with three points, netting an impressive goal from a seated position after being knocked to the floor.

Men’s teams from Australia, Egypt, Portugal, Poland, Japan and France are competing in Loano. Australia Gold and Green and France make up the women’s competition.

Live updates and pictures are available throughout at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

Portugal, Australia Gold take wins at World Intellectual Impairment Sport basketball Worlds

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Cheerleaders perform at the Opening Ceremony of the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basktbetall Championships

Daniele Traverso

The Egyptian men’s and Australia Gold women’s team took victories at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships in Loano, Italy, on Tuesday (21 November).

Portugal, 2013 world champions and bronze medallists from 2015, beat newcomers Egypt 100-16 in their opening group two match at the Palagarassini Stadium.

France, 2015 silver medallists, began their campaign with a 64-29 win over Poland in group one.

Earlier in the day an impressive Opening Ceremony saw a packed crowd enjoy performances and speeches from local dignitaries.

In the women’s competition, played in the fast-paced 3×3 format, the Australia Pearls had a busy day.

The country has two teams in the competition – Australia Gold and Australia Green.

Australia Gold claimed victory over their compatriots 19-12.

After an early flourish from Australia Green that saw them take a 4-0 lead, the Golds settled into the game. Katie Papworth was the team’s top scorer, netting seven points.

Australia Gold then went on to beat France 12-6 in a double-header.

France tried to take advantage of Australia Gold’s plight in a very physical game, but they could not capitalise.

Molly Urquhart-Moran captained her side well, controlling the tempo and scoring at key points. Eliza Mills also starred for Australia, making 100 per cent of her foul shots to break the game open.

Games continue at the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basketball Championships on Wednesday (22 November) and run until 25 November.

Men’s teams from Australia, Egypt, Portugal, Poland, Japan and France are competing in Loano. Australia Gold and Green and France make up the women’s competition.

Live updates and pictures are available throughout at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

 

Portugal’s coach assesses competition at basketball Worlds

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A group of basketball players on the court

Credit: Sport Inclusion Australia

Portugal’s men’s coach Alcindo Quaresma is playing his cards close to his chest ahead of the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships this week in Loano, Italy.

His team are the bronze medallists from 2015, having beat Australia for bronze at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador. They are also the 2013 world champions.

With games getting underway in Loano on Tuesday (21 November), Quaresma said his team are relying on a tried-and-tested formula:

“In the training sessions that we have been able to do, the willingness and enthusiasm of the players have been well-known to work in order to be in the best conditions in this next competition. Training hard but with the prospect of participating in a worldwide event is in itself a huge incentive for all participants.”

As well as Australia, Portugal will face Poland, Japan, 2015 silver medallists France and debutants Egypt at the 2017 Worlds. Reigning champions Venezuala have not travelled to Italy, giving the former champions a boost.

“About the Championship, and although we were previously in third place, our expectations are, as they always were, to obtain the best classification as possible, giving our best, as we have always done, and as demonstrated by all our history,” Quaresma said.

He also said that there had been few changes to the team since 2015, except for him being brought in to replace former coach Fausto Pereira.

Quaresma is taking his first major Championships very seriously and has clearly evaluated the competition.

“From what we have observed and the results show, France has been the team that in recent years has shown greater evolution. We do not know how the other teams will be, but we know from their past that Poland and Australia are always opponents to be taken into account. About Japan we are already known for their stance to fight to the end in any match and with any opponent, with all the determination and enthusiasm. Surprise to us, and total ignorance, is in relation to the team of Egypt, given that it is the first time we will meet.”

Competition opens in Loano on Tuesday and runs until 25 November, when the medal matches will be played. All matches will be contested at the Palagarassini stadium.

Live updates and pictures will be available throughout at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

 

Loano prepares for start of 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basketball Champs

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Credit: Hamish Patterson

 

Men’s and women’s teams from Australia, Portugal, Poland, France, Japan and Egypt have arrived in Loano, Italy, for the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships which get underway on Tuesday (21 November).

Australia have dominated the court in recent years and return as the women’s 3×3 champions. Since winning gold at the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador they have remained No. 1 in the world rankings. Their second team also picked up bronze two years ago.

Senior players in Eliza Mills, Kim Perry, Molly Urguhart-Moran, Kaitlyn Papworth and Nicole Harris form the core of the Australian team.

The world leaders are fielding two teams who will play France in a round robin format. It is hoped that the Championships will help to develop women’s basketball, as well as showcasing the excitement of the 3×3 game.

It will also be the first women’s 3×3 title awarded at a stand-alone World Championships.

In the men’s 5×5, France and Portugal will be looking to capitalise on the absence of 2015 champions Venezuela.

Portugal beat Australia for bronze two years ago, bouncing back slightly from the disappointment of losing the chance to defend their title from 2013. France lost out to Venezuela by more than 20 points in the gold medal match.

The Egyptian men’s team will make their international debut at an World Intellectual Impairment Sport basketball World Championships.

“As for our opponents, from what we have observed and the results show, France has been the team that in recent years has shown greater evolution,” Portugal’s coach Alcindo Quaresma said. “We do not know how the other teams will be, but we know from their past that Poland and Australia are always opponents to be taken into account. Japan are already known for their stance to fight to the end in any match and with any opponent, with all the determination and enthusiasm.  “The surprise for us, and total ignorance, is in relation to the team of Egypt, given that it is the first time we will meet.

Competition opens in Loano on Tuesday and runs until 25 November, when the medal matches will be played. All matches will be contested at the Palagarassini stadium.

Live updates and pictures will be available throughout at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

The Championships are supported by the Executive of the Italian Sports Ministry, the Ligurian region and Loano Municipality.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

Vila Real expecting ‘good memories and achievements’ at swimming Champs

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A swimmer, Felipe Caltran Vila Real, emerges from the water

Getty Images

Brazilian Paralympian Felipe Caltran Vila Real has spoken of his excitement for the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships which get underway in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on 28 November.

The 20-year-old made his Paralympic debut at his home Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Whilst he did not make the podium he is still looking to build on the experience.

“I have no words to describe the emotions I felt in front of that crowd,” he said. “It was certainly amazing.”

As one of his country’s best swimmers with an intellectual impairment, Vila Real already has his eyes on Tokyo 2020 and major regional events:

“I expect to be there, obviously, but more than that I aim at a medal. I think a medal in the Paralympics is the main goal, but also medals at the Parapan Am Games and so on.”

Vila Real began swimming when he was two-years-old. A doctor advised his parents he should take up sports “because of [his] hyperactivity”.

He will line-up in Aguascalientes as the defending champion in the men’s 200m butterfly. He is also a silver medallist in the 400m individual medley.

“I expect it to be a Championship full of good memories and achievements for me,” he said. “I expect a good competition because the athletes there are really determined.”

Rivals

Vila Real’s rivals include Japan’s Taiga Hayashida. He took bronze behind the Brazilian in the 400m individual medley in Ecuador in 2015.

“I haven’t taken a time to look at the start lists, but I am sure there is going to be a great field of athletes over there,” Vila Real concluded.

Aguascalientes 2017 will run from 28 November – 3 December and will see more than 150 athletes from 20 countries compete. It will be the biggest gathering of swimmers with an intellectual impairment since Rio 2016.

As well as athletes with intellectual impairments, trial groups for Down syndrome and autism will also be contested for the first time.

Live updates, videos and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

 

World Intellectual Impairment Sport holds eligibility workshop to grow sport in China

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A group of psychologists and World Intellectual Impairment Sport representatives pose for a picture

Representatives from the International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) held an eligibility workshop on Wednesday (15 November) in Guangzhou, China, as part of a bid to grow sport in the country.

The session is part of a five-day visit to China attended by World Intellectual Impairment Sport Vice President Robyn Smith, Head of Eligibility Jan Burns and Australian coach Kelly Bowen. The project is supported by World Intellectual Impairment Sport member Sport Inclusion Australia and their Asian Sports Partnership.

 

The aim is to build sport for people with intellectual impairments. Historically China have had no athletes registered with World Intellectual Impairment Sport or at the Paralympic Games in the impairment group.

The workshop follows on from a week-long basketball training session held by Bowen for students and teachers in Shenzhen in July 2017.

On Tuesday (14 November) Bowen carried out more training, returning to the Yuanping Special School in Shenzhen. Smith also delivered a coaching video to help with their development.

Wednesday’s eligibility workshop at the Guangzhou Disabled Persons Sport Centre saw Chinese psychologists given advice and information. Eligibility is the first step in the athlete classification process. It ensures any potential athletes have a recognised impairment before they can go on to be classified to compete.

“Working closely with China to assist them establish their eligibility process is an historic moment for World Intellectual Impairment Sport,” Smith said. “Partnering with Sport Inclusion Australia’s Asian Sport Partnership to share this vital information will assist China’s athletes with intellectual impairment compete in World Intellectual Impairment Sport and International Paralympic Committee pathways.”

Smith has been working with the Chinese National Paralympic Committee through the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The trip also provided an opportunity to meet with colleagues from World Intellectual Impairment Sport Asia and develop links with regional partners.

Wayne Bird awarded Life Membership of Sport Inclusion Australia

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Logo of Sport Inclusion Australia

By Sport Inclusion Australia

Sport Inclusion Australia President Wayne Bird has been awarded Life Membership of the International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) member organisation.

Bird becomes only the second person to receive the honour after organisation founder and initial President Marie T Little OAM in 2006.  Bird took over the Presidency of Sport Inclusion Australia on Little’s retirement in 2011. Bird’s involvement commenced in 2006, when as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Basketball Victoria he attended his first meeting. So impressed by the movement, Bird welcomed the opportunity to join the board in 2007.

During his time as President, Bird has demonstrated incredible leadership and compassion.

A good listener, he has led Sport Inclusion Australia through major transformation. A new name, brand, significant governance changes, amalgamation with Vicsrapid and the inception of the National Inclusion Alliance have all been achieved under his tenure, while never deviating from the philosophy.

“Bird has led the organisation with integrity and distinction and apart from his list of accomplishments has not only increased the profile but also the professionalism of Sport Inclusion Australia,” Robyn Smith, CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia, said.

During his tenure Bird has also served as the Chairperson of World Intellectual Impairment Sport Oceania from 2013 to 2017.

Achievements

  • President of Oceania on World Intellectual Impairment Sport Governing Board 2013 – 2017
  • Representative of Finance Committee on World Intellectual Impairment Sport Governing Board 2013 – 2017
  • Development of the National Sport Inclusion Alliance
  • Support of New Zealand to join World Intellectual Impairment Sport
  • Successful bid and hosting of the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport General Assembly
  • Successful bid for the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games
  • Formation of the Global Games Sports Company

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

Female athletes with an intellectual impairment targeted through new campaign

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A female athlete celebrates winning gold

Getty Images

The International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) will target potential athletes through a new campaign which aims to attract more women into sport.

#WeAreSport will recruit up to 20 current athletes to receive training in traditional and digital media techniques. This will help them to raise their profile and cement their place as role models for the next generation.

The same number of administrators from World Intellectual Impairment Sport member organisations will also be given resources and support to enable them to champion women in sport in their countries.

It is hoped that the activities of these ‘Sport Champions’ will lead to more women and girls trying sport and ultimately becoming elite athletes.

“We know from participation across the 15 sports we manage that female athletes are underrepresented,” Robyn Smith, World Intellectual Impairment Sport Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of Sport Inclusion Australia who are co-funding the project, said.

“This is not unique to any particular sport or part of the world, but is a challenge faced by almost everyone in all regions.

“At the Paralympic level there were four countries who finished in the top 10 in the medals table that entered less women than men with intellectual impairments to Rio 2016.

“At the grassroots women and girls with intellectual impairments struggle with the confidence to try sport much more than their male counterparts. Awareness of sport specifically for this group is also still developing.

“We want to help showcase athletes who have not just overcome the same challenges, but have excelled on the global stage. And then we want to help build the structures and expertise so others can do the same.”

The first activities for #WeAreSport will take place in early 2018 with a training webinar for the 40 athletes and administrators. Each athlete will also receive a specially designed media pack containing their biography, pictures and graphics they can share on social media.

The administrators will be given materials and guidance to help them attract female athletes to try sports. As part of their commitment they will deliver at least one development workshop in their country for women and girls.

The project will mainly focus on Asia, Oceania and Africa. Athletes and personnel from other regions will also be included.

Activities will climax on the 2018 International Day of Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment which will carry the #WeAreSport theme.

#WeAreSport is supported by a grant from the Agitos Foundation, the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

Preview: Biggest gathering of swimmers since Rio 2016 set for November

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A photo montage of athletes with intellectual impairments

Three International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Championships will see more of the world’s best athletes go for medals in November.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

With 150 athletes from 20 countries, the competition will be the biggest gathering of swimmers since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Taking place in Aguascalientes, Mexico, between 27 November – 4 December it will also be one of the marquee events of 2017.

Returning champions such as Chinese Taipei’s Jo Lin Tu headline the field. Tu dominated at the World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Ecuador in 2015, winning the women’s 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly.

One of her main rivals, Australia’s Jade Lucy, will try to defend her 400m and 800m freestyle titles. Teammate Nikesha Sophia Harding is also the women’s 50m breaststroke champion.

In the men’s Brazilian Paralympian Felipe Caltran Vila Real will look to retain his 200m butterfly gold from 2015. He will also try and improve on silver from the 50m fly.

Live updates, videos and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basketball Championships

Loano, Italy, is preparing to host the World Championships between 20-26 November.

Australia have dominated the court in recent years and return as the women’s 3×3 champions. The Pearls could face Japan in a rematch of their gold medal game in Ecuador from 2015.

Senior players in Eliza Mills, Kim Perry, Molly Urguhart-Moran, Kaitlyn Papworth and Nicole Harris form the core of the Australian team.

The men’s competition will feature the 5×5 format. Games get underway on 22 November.

Live updates and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Indoor Rowing Championships

The 2017 edition of the Championships will take place in Gavirate, Italy, from 25-26 November.

Races in the 500m and 1,000m individual men’s and women’s and mixed relays will be contested.

Live updates and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

Torneo Internacional de Futbol

Calbuco, Chile, will host this international tournament between 6-10 November.

The competition has been sanctioned by World Intellectual Impairment Sport in the build-up to the 2018 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Football Championships in Karlstad, Sweden, from 2-18 August.

#SupportTheBest: dinner and auction

World Intellectual Impairment Sport will host a dinner and auction in aid of the world’s best athletes at the Copthorne Hotel in Sheffield, Great Britain, on 23 November. Auction lots include trips to World Intellectual Impairment Sport Championships in 2018, signed sports memorabilia and much more.

More information and tickets is available here.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

 

‘Successful’ site visit for football World Championships

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Football for athletes with an intellectual impairment

A ‘successful’ site visit to Karlstad, Sweden, the host city of the 2018 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Football Championships, has taken place.

World Intellectual Impairment Sport Football Committee Chairperson John Ball returned from the visit optimistic of a great Championships between 2-18 August.

“My visit to Sweden was very productive and successful and I am certain we will have a well organised World Championships in August 2018,” Ball said following his visit earlier in October.

As part of the trip to Karlstad he also inspected the five stadiums and training facilities which will be used for the 34 games played over 16 days.

“It was the end of the football season in Sweden but the quality of the pitches in terms of the conditions of the grass was excellent, as though it was the start of the season.  Changing facilities are excellent and each team will have their own grass training pitch so there will be no sharing,” Ball reported.

He was also confident of the ability of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Parasport Sweden, to deliver a memorable Championships:

“They have many and varied talents and expertise in different fields and should be an asset to the organisation across the many aspects it will cover.”

A total of 12 teams are expected for the 2018 World Championships. Sweden automatically qualify as the host country. European qualifiers held in 2016 saw Poland, France and Russia advance whilst Saudi Arabia return as the world champions. The other teams were determined from the world rankings and include Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, Japan, South Korea and South Africa.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more