No Limits with Christchurch Netball Centre
CNC’s No Limits Netball is an adapted netball programme catering to participants with disabilities.
The format encourages everyone to have a go and enjoy the fun of participating in a friendly, supportive environment.We appreciate the partnership of the Halberg Foundation in the development of No Limits Netball, and the awesome support of Parafed Canterbury to raise awareness across the region.
Christchurch Netball Centre's No Limits Netball programmeis held on Tuesday afternoons from 13 February, with the last session for Term 1 2024 scheduled for 26 March.
Tuesday afternoons, 4:30-5:30pm, 13 February - 26 March 2024
FREE to attend for all ages. Register today - https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/280136
At the heart of Christchurch Netball’s new home is a commitment to inclusivity. For this reason, as the doors open to the community on 26 November, it’s important to acknowledge the people in our hapori helping our sport grow, not just in numbers but accessibility.
As the Halberg Foundation Disability Sport Advisor, Mitchell Rhodes builds the capability of the community to deliver to young people with impairments. He recalls a conversation with Wendy Trolove (Netball Mainland), when the concept of No Limits Netball was born.
The next step was Inclusion training for the Christchurch Netball Centre team, and soon No Limits was offered on the courts at South Hagley Park, starting in Winter 2023.
Ōtautahi, and Christchurch Netball Centre, is the only place in New Zealand to offer a No Limits programme of this size.
At CNC’s No Limits programme, Mitch has been impressed by the “real keen-ness to learn netball and be involved” he has seen in tamariki at the South Hagley courts.
Mitch says there is every reason to believe that as the word spreads, the interest will only grow – certainly encouraged by the chance to play indoors at Ngā Puna Wai, the South Island’s premier indoor venue for community sport.
No Limits with CNC at Ngā Puna Wai starts on 7 November; registration is open on netballchristchurch.org.nz.
“It’s gone from strength to strength,” Mitchell adds. “I see families involved who are willing to take up more opportunities (in sport and recreation) because of the confidence they have gained through No Limits.”
On 26 November, Opening Day visitors to the new home of netball at Ngā Puna Wai will be invited to experience No Limits for themselves, the adapted version of the sport that caters to all abilities and disabilities.
“Being able to cater to everyone who turns up is really important when we are promoting an accessible and inclusive environment,” Mitch emphasises. He describes the efforts that Christchurch Netball has made to revolutionise its web site registration process, which now captures a level of detail that allows staff to shape the weekly programme content specifically to meet the participants’ needs. “You have to be able to include everyone.”
Many participants were between the ages of eight and 12, and few were deterred by weekends of wind and rain. One family even travelled regularly from Ashburton.
After helping the CNC team to very quickly develop the capability to deliver and grow No Limits, Mitchell reflects on what the future might hold.
“It could be that a system is designed where No Limits players are able to enter the regular season competitions alongside their peers.– that’s a long-term vision.”
Article added: Friday 20 October 2023
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