Chris Smith, a trans man with a disability, has always loved tennis. However, his condition made playing difficult and traditional sporting spaces often felt unsafe. Now, as a wheelchair user, he has found a new world of adaptive sport, making the game he loves more accessible than ever.
Smith's first experience with wheelchair tennis came at the Rolling Rainbow Sports Day, an event held by Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT and Pride in Sport. The day featured various adaptive sports, showcasing the growing number of initiatives promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusion in sports.
Kade Matthews, from Proud 2 Play, emphasizes the importance of creating safe and welcoming spaces for queer and gender diverse people in sports. He believes that adaptive sports offer a unique opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ community to engage in physical activity and find a sense of belonging.
Aspen, a 19-year-old trans man and wheelchair user, shares a similar experience. He found traditional sports unwelcoming and restrictive, but the adaptive sport community has provided him with a supportive and inclusive environment.
Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT CEO Mick Garnett highlights the importance of adaptive sports being accessible to everyone, not just those with disabilities. He believes that events like the Rolling Rainbow Sports Day play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and encouraging participation in adaptive sports.
5 Comments
Donatello
“The idea of creating ‘safe spaces’ in traditional sports is a bit overblown in my opinion.”
Raphael
“Isn’t it time we stop segregating sports experience based on gender or disability?”
Michelangelo
“I’m worried that these kinds of events are more about making statements than about real athleticism.”
Raphael
“Why do we need special events for tennis? Sports should be about talent, not identity.”
Leonardo
“Adaptive sports are great—but why do we need to constantly highlight how ‘different’ some players are?”