Six corporate teams discovered a new appreciation for the skill and physical demands of Para sport at Friday’s Melbourne Para Tough Cup, where friendly rivalries brought out a competitive streak in even the most unsuspecting participants.
After a day of wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and goalball, long-time Paralympics Australia partner Bupa emerged victorious, although the competition was so close that two trivia tie-breakers were needed to settle the top four placings.
Bupa finished ahead of Tempur, with Nine securing third place over Adflex Marketing, while IAG and RACV completed the standings in fifth and sixth respectively.
For Bupa Chief People Officer, Rebecca Donaldson, the competitive spirit among her colleagues was something of a revelation.
“I feel pressure from my own team. I’m really trying to show up,” she laughed.
“It’s a real leveler. It’s a lot of fun, and it’s also really interesting to see people that I thought weren’t necessarily sporty being quite sporty.”
The Para Tough Cup is a corporate challenge that raises vital funds to support Australian Para athletes, from those beginning their sporting journeys to those preparing for the world’s biggest competitions.
Across the three sports at this event, familiar sporting instincts frequently proved more of a hindrance than a help.
In sitting volleyball, competitors had to resist the natural urge to spring upwards towards the ball, while wheelchair basketball demanded an unfamiliar combination of coordination, speed and ball control.
Goalball presented an altogether different challenge – wearing eyeshades, participants relied on sound and instinct to anticipate the approaching ball, some admitting to nervousness about where it might strike.
I think from the outside sometimes they think it looks easy. But watching them hop in the chair and come off huffing and puffing is awesome.
For IAG’s Angelique, the experience brought a fresh appreciation of the athleticism involved.
“I consider myself fit. There is no way I could do what they do. My hat’s off.”
Australian Steelers wheelchair rugby player, Shae Graham, enjoyed watching participants discover the physical demands of Para sport.
“I think from the outside sometimes they think it looks easy. But watching them hop in the chair and come off huffing and puffing is awesome,” Graham said.
She was also keeping an eye out for potential wheelchair rugby recruits.
“I’ve seen a few on the basketball court and I’ve seen a few, just for fun, get really aggressive with their teammates. So I reckon they’re the ones that we’d try and steal.”
Multiple Paralympian Jess Gallagher said the experience offered a different perspective on the skills of elite Para athletes.
“Elite athletes generally make things look easy when they’re out there at Paralympic Games or a world championships,” Gallagher said.
“Getting to try it for yourself, you can realise how very difficult the skills are, how much is going on.”
Gallagher said the opportunity to experience Para sport firsthand while contributing to the Australian Paralympic Team made the event particularly worthwhile.
“Not only are they getting the opportunity to try Paralympic sport, which they may not have had the opportunity otherwise, but they also know they’re here raising money for the Australian Paralympic team,” she said.
Her advice to businesses considering next year’s event was equally enthusiastic.
Getting to try it for yourself, you can realise how very difficult the skills are, how much is going on.
“Absolutely, get amongst it. Who wants to go to work on a Friday? Come and have some fun playing sport, learning about new skills, learning about Paralympic sport and helping raise money for the Australian Paralympic team.”
For Donaldson, the experience promised to leave a lasting impression well beyond Bupa’s victory.
“Really uplifting, like really seriously uplifting. And just generally a lot of fun,” she said.
“We’ll be talking about it for a long time.”
For more information: Para Tough Cup | Paralympics Australia
Paralympics Australia is only able to continue doing its work driving the Paralympic Movement forward in Australia because of the generous support it receives from Government, Corporate Partners and donors.
The focus continues to be on delivering teams to each Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and supporting Para athletes as they enter and progress through the Para sport system and into their post-sporting careers.
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