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The Paravics Sports Club

The Paravics Sports Club
B-ball court austin 1962

The Paraplegic Sports Club (Paravics Sports Club) lay the cornerstones for inclusive sport and recreation in Australia.

Each of the eight founding members suffered life-changing trauma which resulted in permanent disability. They persevered through 1950s rehabilitation practices determined to get on with life. It was their shared desire to play sport and subsequent goal to participtate in the first Australian Paralympic Team to compete in Rome 1960 that connected them.

They each contributed the equivalent of one dollar to form the Paravics Sports Club, which created the foundation for disability sport in Victoria.

The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, 1960. Eight different sports were played at the Games. The first ever Australian Paralympic team was selected at the inaugural Australian Championships in Melbourne 1960. Victorians selected were Bruno Moretti and Kevin Coombs.

Founding member, Kevin Coombs OAM says “The friendships I have formed through sport and recreation have lasted a lifetime. The places, the faces and the experiences so far have created many opportunities to enrich not only my life but others I meet along the way.”