In raising awareness of Road Safety we should always remember our crash victims and how we can assist the injured in the process towards rehabilitation. How does life continue after the incident for these victims?
Many road crash victims with permanent disability have found that being able to continue participating in sport has helped them on the road of recovery and rehabilitation.
We have been introduced by a regular visitor to the Arrive Alive website to the Sport of Sitting Volleyball / ParaVolley and would like to create more awareness about this sport via a Q&A with Anton Raimondo:
How is the game played and to what extent does it differ from the volleyball played by fully abled players?
Sitting Volleyball is extremely similar to traditional volleyball. There are still six players a side and teams have three touches to score through digging, setting and spiking. The main differences are that players are on the ground and use their arms to move and slide. The court is slightly smaller and the net lower, which actually results in a faster paced game than traditional volleyball.
How do players “qualify” to participate?
Anyone can play, and Sitting Volleyball is one of the most inclusive sports in the world. That having been said, the sport is targeted towards disabled players and particularly lower limb amputees.
Up to national level, male, female, abled and disabled can all play together on the same team. At international level, the sport is split into male and female teams and disabled only.
What is the nature of the injuries / disability?
China vs Bosnia at London 2012 Paralympics
People with all sorts of injuries or disability can play. The most common disabilities are people who have lost one or both of their legs (foot amputations, below knee or above knee amputations or double amputees of any sort).
There are also a lot of people who have limited mobility or function due to disease (e.g. polio) or people who have fused ankles, ruptured ACL tendons or any other restricted movement from injuries or birth defects. The key is that people have control over their upper body and can move/slide on the floor to play the ball.
How many of these injuries are the result of road crashes?
More than 50% of players tend to be from road accidents and motorcycle crashes in particular.
What do you believe are the major benefits of the sport for the participants?
Anton Raimondo playing in the UK Club Championship Finals
There are a number of great benefits:
- Fitness - the sport if very active and is good way to get exercise and keep fit.
- Social - This is one of the few team sports available for disabled players. So it is great for meeting others and sharing experiences. Friends can play together whether abled or disabled.
- Competitive - Sitting Volleyball is a Paralympic sport with World and Continental championships. For those who would like to be competitive and represent their country, this is a great sport to be involved in.
- Rehabilitation - You can start playing the sport very soon after an accident, as no wheelchair or prosthetics is required. Physiotherapists often encourage people to play and join for the physical and social benefits.
How well is the game organised in South Africa and internationally? Is there registration with sports bodies?
Internationally - The World ParaVolley Organisation (http://www.worldparavolley.org ) administers the sport. There are plenty of world, zonal and club competitions happening around the world with over 55 active countries playing Sitting Volleyball. It is highly competitive and there is some good footage of the sport on YouTube - search 'sitting volleyball paralympics'
South Africa - Sitting Volleyball is a new sport in the country, started in 2014, and so provides a lot of opportunity for new athletes. The sport is affiliated and supported by Volleyball South Africa with the intention of having a South African team take part in international competitions.
What are the major challenges to running a successful league?
South Africa club players in Cape Town
The sport is new in South Africa - the biggest challenge is letting people know that they can join a club or compete as an athlete in the sport. The more people that play and join, the better for everyone! This leads to more clubs being formed and therefore a greater league.
What do you believe the public may not be aware of about this sport and need to be given more exposure of?
I think the sport in general lacks exposure because it is has never been played in South Africa before. Very few people know about the sport. Fortunately it is so similar to traditional volleyball that many people can easily identify with it and there is already a big volleyball culture in the country. Exposure is key.
The more exposure we have, the more people can join the game or take up the sport to represent their country. I think people will be surprised at how fun and competitive the sport is and how much movement is required. You don't do much sitting at all, despite the name!
Where can those interested in participation find more information about the sport and how they get involved?
Take a look at recent South African news and information by joining our Facebook page, 'ParaVolley South Africa' or contact us by email on [email protected]. The sport is free and we welcome anyone to come and play. There is also plenty of information online. Check out http://www.worldparavolley.org or Google the sport.
South Africans playing Beach Sitting Volleyball on Camps Bay beach
Also view:
Post-Traumatic Stress after a Road Crash
Trauma Counselling and Road Safety