Last month, secondary students came out in big numbers to watch a demonstration of wheelchair rugby by the Indonesian team who were visiting Singapore to support the Rugby Sevens.

The event was organised with the help of MYP teacher Scott Stewart who plays in an annual football tournament in Bali to raise funds to help local disabled children develop a healthy lifestyle through sport.

In Bali, he met Rodney Holt, the founder of wheelchair rugby in Asia. What began as Mr Holt’s passion to help others has now become a very competitive league, with teams in Singapore and Malaysia, and hopefully Cambodia in the near future. Two of the Indonesian team members have already been scouted to play for New Zealand in the upcoming Paralympic Games.

Secondary students were thrilled to watch these talented athletes, and amazed at what they could accomplish from a wheelchair. Some students even had the opportunity to hop in a chair to try it out. Many of the students who attended the demonstration play on CIS rugby teams. They have learnt about strategies for invasion games, but to play while in a wheelchair brings a whole new dimension to the game.

Thank you to the Mr. Holt and the team, and the Wheelchair Association, for giving us the opportunity to learn about the game and enjoy some practice time as well.