June 2010 Recipients
Hamilton teenager Oliver Posa, 13, will soon be enjoying the sport of hand-cycling thanks to the Mazda Foundation. Oliver received a $1,875 grant to purchase a specialised hand-cycle.
Although Oliver was born with Spina Bifida and relies on a wheelchair for mobility,he hasn’t let it stop him from enjoying sports. He has participated in the Waikato Independence Games in track and field events for a number of years and also plays wheelchair basketball.
The hand-cycle will further expand his sporting achievements, enable him to enjoy regular physical activity and maintain his upper body strength says his father, Mike Posa.
“A hand-cycle would enable Oliver to benefit from more physical activity and improve his self-esteem by allowing him to participate in cycling-related outings with his able-bodied peers and family,” he says.
Hand-cycling is an elite world level sport at the Paralympics and has its own World Championships. Parafed Waikato already has two members representing New Zealand at the World Championships in Canada in 2010.
