INVICTUS GAMES For Our Wounded Warriors Part 2
Friday 26 October and it was an early start, for us as we had to be seated by 8.00am for the Wheelchair Basket to start at 9.00am. And it was well worth it!
An interesting fact; wheelchair basketball was first played on 25 November 1946, when a group of American Veterans wanted to become active again, after suffering spinal cord injuries, in World War II.
For the details of how it is played, please see my previous post; Invictus Games, For Our Wounded Warriors Part 1, http://researchbylily.blogspot.com/2018/10/invictus-games-2018-for-our-wounded.html
Fast and furious is the only was to describe the two games we saw.
Game one was New Zealand v Canada, with New Zealand winning. Again the mateship shone through, with both coahes going to the aid of players, who had tipped their chairs over. They were also cheered, like the players, were. There was also a bit of fun, with a Kiwi player giving the referee the evil eye, and the referee and player laughing about it.
Such is the spirit of the games.
Now for those of you, that have been to a basketball game, you know how high the basket is of the ground, 3.048m or 10', with the hoop being 46cm or 18" in diameter. Well it is the SAME for wheelchair basketball! Think about it. They have to sink a basket, 3m up, from SITTING in a chair! Their upper body strength must be amazing.
The next game was Australia v United Kingdom, with the United Kingdom winning. It was rough and tough, with fouls being given, wheels being changed and points being scored. The players showed their strength, by being able to right themselves, when they were toppled.
The New Zealand team.
Yesterday, we were joined by groups of school children and they had banners to wave. One banner read, Thank You For Your Service and the teams applauded them. The children also go the Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi chant going.
These games showcased amazing athletes, volunteers and Sydney at its best.
The old saying, " It's not wether you win or lose, but how you played the game," could really be the description on the Invictus Games 2018.
Bye for now,
Lilian.
An interesting fact; wheelchair basketball was first played on 25 November 1946, when a group of American Veterans wanted to become active again, after suffering spinal cord injuries, in World War II.
For the details of how it is played, please see my previous post; Invictus Games, For Our Wounded Warriors Part 1, http://researchbylily.blogspot.com/2018/10/invictus-games-2018-for-our-wounded.html
Fast and furious is the only was to describe the two games we saw.
Game one was New Zealand v Canada, with New Zealand winning. Again the mateship shone through, with both coahes going to the aid of players, who had tipped their chairs over. They were also cheered, like the players, were. There was also a bit of fun, with a Kiwi player giving the referee the evil eye, and the referee and player laughing about it.
Such is the spirit of the games.
Now for those of you, that have been to a basketball game, you know how high the basket is of the ground, 3.048m or 10', with the hoop being 46cm or 18" in diameter. Well it is the SAME for wheelchair basketball! Think about it. They have to sink a basket, 3m up, from SITTING in a chair! Their upper body strength must be amazing.
The next game was Australia v United Kingdom, with the United Kingdom winning. It was rough and tough, with fouls being given, wheels being changed and points being scored. The players showed their strength, by being able to right themselves, when they were toppled.
In both games, players exchanged pins, before the start of the game.
The Australian and United Kingdom teams.
Those two games ended our time and we went in search of free coffee, well hot chocolate, in a reusuable cup and got talking to players and other people, enjoying the experience.
The poem Invictus, has in it the lines, I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul. These words are found around the various venues and really sums up the competitors.
This link gives you the full story of the poem and its author, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invictus
Have a read.
Outside the Quaycentre is a garden, with metal statues in it, all are the same. Can you tell what it is?
One of the social media tags, it lights up.
A Gold Medal, taken through glass, hence the blur. The wreath is Golden Wattle.
They also have the words, I am the master of my fate, on the front and on the back is Game On Down Under and I am the captain of my soul on the back.
The wreath represents strength and endurance.
The games mascot was a Blue Heeler, called Cobber.
Yesterday, we were joined by groups of school children and they had banners to wave. One banner read, Thank You For Your Service and the teams applauded them. The children also go the Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi chant going.
These games showcased amazing athletes, volunteers and Sydney at its best.
The old saying, " It's not wether you win or lose, but how you played the game," could really be the description on the Invictus Games 2018.
Bye for now,
Lilian.
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