Motivation launch affordable Sports Wheelchair
UK based international disability and development organisation Motivation has developed an affordable sports wheelchair to encourage participation in wheelchair sports.
At an average price of over £1,000, sports wheelchairs are often out of the price range of many individuals. The Sports Wheelchair by Motivation is being launched at the Mobility Roadshow and is available at a fraction of the price of most sports wheelchairs.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) realised some years ago that there was a need to develop grass roots wheelchair sports in developing countries to enable teams of wheelchair basketball and tennis players to bring wheelchair sport in their country to a higher level. Some Paralympic sports rely heavily on equipment and therefore, to compete on a level playing field with teams that have all the facilities, access to affordable high quality wheelchairs is essential.
The IPC contacted the international disability and development organisation Motivation and asked it to design a high quality sports wheelchair that would be affordable in a developing country.
Motivation’s Sports Wheelchair has been ergonomically designed according to the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) regulations and in conjunction with the International Tennis Federation (ITF). There are two models, the Spin Off for wheelchair basketball and the Quick Hit for tennis players; they are available in both adult and child sizes.
Originally designed for the developing context, Motivation has since been inundated with enquiries from wheelchair users and clubs from many countries one wouldn’t consider to be developing. And here’s why…
Most sports wheelchairs are made of lightweight aluminium or titanium; relatively expensive materials. Motivation’s Sports Wheelchair uses a rigid tubular steel frame, which is less costly and has enabled Motivation to seriously drive down the price of the chairs.
The Sports Wheelchair comes with standard sports wheelchair components such as the castor assembly, anti-tipper and quick-release rear wheels, which make it stable and highly manoeuvrable. It is robust and built to withstand the challenges faced by the rough sports environment.
Available in four sizes, many of the components are easily adjustable in order to accommodate individual needs and preferences, especially when the wheelchair is shared between members of the same sport club. The set of straps provided with every Sports Wheelchair allows the user to feel safe and improve their performance during practise sessions or in competition.
Stylish and affordable, the Sports Wheelchair is the perfect product for individuals or sport clubs that plan to explore the world of sport from grassroots to competition level. With the Quick Hit or Spin Off a sport club can purchase several low-cost chairs instead of one higher-priced chair and introduce far more disabled people to wheelchair sport.
The Quick Hit
“For the first time, trying your hand at wheelchair tennis needn’t mean using an inappropriate chair or having to break the bank! Motivation’s Sports Wheelchair is going to introduce a new generation of players to the game and support wheelchair tennis development internationally.”
Jayant Mistry, Britain’s Number 1 Wheelchair Tennis Player
The Spin Off
“A sports wheelchair of this quality at such an affordable price would really have helped me when I was first starting out in sport. This is a great product that is intended to increase opportunities for people to try their hand at wheelchair sports. The potential benefits for sports clubs and federations are huge.”
Ade Adepitan, TV Presenter and Paralympic Medallist
For more information about the sports wheelchair visit www.motivation.org.uk/sports