With a physical disability, practicing a high-level sport can be more complicated. But in Montreal, a community organization has made it its mission to make adapted sport accessible to all, giving birth to Paralympic dreams.
“I love it so much. My dream would really be to one day be part of the Canadian team, because there is a serious lack of girls [dans ma catégorie] “, confides Mégane Ravary. Aged 25, she trains boccia (a precision sport similar to pétanque) two days a week at the Centre d’intégration à la vie active (CIVA).
The organization has seen some big names come and go. This is where boccia virtuoso Alison Levine made her sporting debut, first in basketball and wheelchair rugby. Her teammate, Iulian Ciobanu, also qualified for Paris, and former world number one Marco Dispaltro share their training periods between CIVA and the Institut national du sport du Québec (and the Maison du loisir et du sport since the spring fire at the Institute).
This proximity to excellent athletes particularly motivates Mégane, and made her understand that it was possible to reach a high level. In two years, she managed to land a spot on the Quebec team. “When I was younger, I didn’t know I could go that high. When I started to be more diligent in my classes, I talked to athletes who are going to the Paralympic Games, who have already done them. It gave me a boost.”
Even though they play in different categories, since their handicap is not the same, Marco Dispaltro and Iulian Ciobanu give “good tips” to the young player.
Met by The DutyMarco Dispaltro says he happily takes on this role of mentor. “For me, it opened a door, a completely different life, an enriching life, so I want to share that with everyone. Sometimes, it can go against me. Because I also help develop other players in my division who have surpassed me. But I don’t care about that.”
The two veterans particularly recommended that Mégane, who has cerebral palsy, throw certain balls “from below.” A technique that gives her “more strength” to dislodge balls from her opponents. “From below, I’m more fluid and I have more control over my arm. It helps a lot.”
“Taking inspiration from the elders”
CIVA doesn’t just welcome aspiring Paralympic athletes. Some go there simply to stay in shape and maintain independence in their daily lives, explains the organization’s executive director, Marine Gailhard. Others find it a hobby, or prefer art classes and outdoor activities.
“It is very, very important for some to meet up with other people who have the same reality of life as them. The younger ones will be able to draw inspiration from the older ones, who have an active life, a family, or work,” underlines Mme Gailhard.
“I love going there because, as soon as I start playing, I forget my problems,” confides Mégane. “It makes me feel good to be well surrounded and to do something I love.”
Expensive equipment
CIVA has therefore made financial accessibility one of its priorities. By paying their annual membership fee of $25, members can participate in activities, free or at low cost, and rent an impressive variety of sports equipment.
“Adapted sport requires equipment that is very expensive” and that needs to be maintained, explains Mme Gailhard. For example, a basketball chair can cost $5,000. And, “if you want to play at a high level, at some point, you have to have your own equipment, which is really adapted to you, to your reality.” Mégane knows something about it. Paying for her equipment out of her own pocket, she recently spent a little over $800 for seven new balls.
In adapted sports, an athlete’s skills are not always the only keys to their performance. “Sometimes, I’m disappointed because, due to my disability or a poor adjustment of my chair, when I throw from below, I’m well positioned, my arm is well placed, but my chair moves while I throw. And then, my throw doesn’t go where I wanted it to,” laments Mégane. “You have to learn to live with that.”
The organization, for whom “donations are very important,” explains that grants are difficult to obtain, even if its services are “increasingly in demand.” With more money, CIVA would like to offer sports that are not yet accessible in Montreal, invest in more equipment and pay its volunteers.
Access to sports facilities also needs to be improved. The CIVA, which currently uses land owned by the City of Montreal, must not only find available gymnasiums, “at convenient times,” but also ones that are accessible.
“It’s essential for the development of adapted sport, and possibly for a future Paralympian. We have to see it as a continuum. A young person who is 10 years old and wants to play wheelchair basketball, we have to be able to lend them a wheelchair and supervise them. And then, maybe one day this young person will progress and in ten years, they will be a Paralympian.”