Athletes with a disability (AWADs) are first and foremost athletes, and for this reason, virtually everything in the able-bodied LTHD model is applicable. The AWAD development stream is, therefore, only concerned with additional factors that need to be considered when working with these athletes.
Para Field Hockey, or field hockey for athletes with a disability, is a newly evolving component within field hockey. The athlete development pathway is based on the Canadian Sport for Life model (No Accidental Champions), which provides development considerations for athletes with a disability.
The game will consist of both an Outdoor Integrated Game and Indoor Para-Game (Para-athlete focused, with reverse integration of able-bodied athletes invited to participate).
Key Considerations
The first element is based on the fundamental principles of awareness and the concepts pertaining to first contact/recruitment.
The second consideration involves the coach being aware of whether the athlete has had previous experience in sport activity, be it a recreational or competitive level, and whether this involvement was from a congenital disability background or if the individual has a newly acquired disability. A great deal of consideration must not be given to chronological age of development, but rather age of experience, relative to the individual’s level of activity and experience both pre and post-acquisition of the disability.
The third element that follows from this is the provision of options relative to the individual choosing to pursue a recreation stream or a competition stream within the sport.
These three concepts are the foundation through which Para Field Hockey will develop in Canada, and ultimately will ensure the growth of the para-game within Canada and on the international stage.
