Adaptive Athlete Inclusion

Genny Tidwell
EN
FR

Adaptive Inclusivity in Weightlifting

October 26, 2023
M. Gomes

“Adaptive Inclusivity in Weightlifting” includes, but not limited to, WCHM and its members, WCH and its Provincial Weightlifting Association affiliates and weightlifting clubs’ collective willingness to invite adaptive athletes into their respective weightlifting communities and to nurture their growth as active members of those communities. This can be done through supporting clubs who show interest in coaching adaptive athletes or that already have adaptive athletes as members; implementing existing sections on the coaching of adaptive athletes in their coach training education (WCH Coach Course); initiatives of each PWA to seek out and apply for provincial sports grants to assist their promotion of masters para weightlifting among their registered clubs; and creative membership fee structure for adaptive athletes joining our communities.

Including the Adaptive Athlete. What do you think?

The IWF and its NSOs do not promote or support the inclusion of adaptive athletes as para weightlifters. Though they may be few in numbers, adaptive athletes must be welcomed into our communities. Sports Canada presents a more inclusive position on adaptive athlete inclusion and encourages its National Sports Organizations to follow their lead. WCHM has stepped forward and though it can only promote para weightlifting at the Masters level, its Para Weightlifting Rules and Regulations have been adopted by many National Masters Weightlifting Federations/organizations as well as the IMWA and its international masters federations like the Pan American
Masters and the European Masters.

 

I encourage individual weightlifters, their coaches and clubs, and their Provincial Weightlifting Associations to approach adaptive athlete inclusion with an open mind and a genuine readiness to promote this inclusivity in their own unique and creative ways.

 

Adaptive athletes are already out there participating in various Canadian Para Sports. Many of these athletes fully understand the benefits of strength training. There are many skills and attitudes that adaptive athletes can contribute to our sport. If we truly believe our sport of Weightlifting can accommodate all individuals, then we cannot deprive adaptive athletes of participating with us.

 

WCHM is aware that there is no such sport called “Para Weightlifting.” However, in the decades to come, interest among national and international adaptive weightlifters will increase to the point that a sport called “Para Weightlifting” will emerge and take its rightful place in the Para Sport Community.

 

Think about the following statements and share your level of readiness with each other in order to generate discussion about the inclusion of adaptive athletes into weightlifting. The WCHM President welcomes your thoughts, concerns, ideas and suggestion. If/when contributing to this discussion, please use attollo@hotmail.com    Adaptive-Athlete-Resources_English.pdf (wchmasters.org)

 

Adaptive Athlete Inclusion – What do you think?

Individuals

1. I welcome the inclusion of an adaptive athlete(s) into our weightlifting club.

2. I have examined the WCHM Para Weightlifting section of the WCHM website.

3. After examining the WCHM Para Weightlifting website information, I support the inclusion of Masters Para Weightlifters.

4. I would like to help our Coach train an adaptive/para weightlifter.

5. If given an opportunity, I would invite an adaptive athlete into our weightlifting club.

6. I would like to see a new para sport called “para weightlifting” either as part of WCHM or WCH.

 

Club Coaches

1. I welcome the inclusion of an adaptive athlete(s) into our weightlifting club.

2. I have viewed the WCHM Para Weightlifting section of the WCHM website.

3. After examining the WCHM Para Weightlifting website information, I support the inclusion of Masters Para Weightlifters.

4. I would be amenable to training an adaptive/para weightlifter.

5. Our gym has the physical capacity to include an adaptive/para weightlifter.

6. I have or can adjust our club coaching schedule to accommodate an adaptive/para weightlifter.

7. I have some experience coaching/training an adaptive athlete(s).

8. I would be interested in upgrading my adaptive athlete coaching skills if offered by my Provincial Weightlifting Association.

 

Provincial Weightlifting Association Officials

1. We welcome the inclusion of adaptive athletes into our weightlifting clubs.

2. We have viewed the WCHM Para Weightlifting section of the WCHM website.

3. After examining the WCHM Para Weightlifting website information, we support the inclusion of Masters Para Weightlifters.

4. We would be amenable to working with WCH Coach Educators in our Province to include the education of coaches in the area of adaptive/para weightlifting.

5. We currently have a program(s) for individuals with physical challenges.

6. We would be prepared to seek out Provincial Sports Funding to promote para weightlifting in our province.

7. We are prepared to include adaptive athletes as Para Weightlifters in our open weightlifting competitions.

8. We are prepared to work with WCH Coaching Educators in ensuring that adaptive coaching topics are included.