Parafed Bay of Plenty Chairman Bryce McFall says the idea for the festival began nearly a decade ago when he “woke up in the middle of the night” with a desire to bring disability sport into the spotlight.
“I thought, let’s try and get it into the best arenas we’ve got in the Bay of Plenty. So, we modelled it a little bit on the AIMS Games - starting small and aiming to grow and grow and grow. We started our first year with about 50 athletes. This year, we’re hoping to have over 250, and we’re showcasing it as a leading sporting event for disabled people in New Zealand, right here in the Bay.”
Now in its seventh year, the festival has a packed programme of adaptive sports; wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, rugby league, boccia, circus workshops and sailing. The event brings together physically disabled athletes, including those with low-vision and hearing-impairments from across New Zealand.
Following a successful debut last year, wheelchair rugby league returns in 2026. Bryce says, “Rugby league is a really growing sport. Last year it was a have-a-go opportunity, which was really well received, and this year they’re coming back to compete, which is fantastic.”
Highlights will be the two-day national wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball tournaments at Mercury Baypark, featuring Wheel Blacks and other top para-athletes from around the country competing at the highest level.
Amanda Lowry, Parafed Board member and Bay of Plenty Steamrollers player, says this year’s festival will also shine a spotlight on wāhine in adaptive sport, with a special women’s wheelchair rugby showcase on Saturday afternoon.
“Wheelchair rugby is traditionally quite a male-dominated space, so we really want to celebrate the women coming through the sport,” she says.
The match will feature female wheelchair rugby players from around New Zealand alongside some local Black Ferns/Sevens players.
“Wheelchair rugby is one of the only sports with fully inclusive male and female representation, which is incredible. We want to celebrate the hell out of wāhine in sport and profile the amazing women involved.”
Amanda says the festival is unique in the way it brings adaptive sport into major venues and celebrates athletes on a large stage.
“Disability sport is often played in local halls and gyms and doesn’t always get profiled. Here we are at Mercury Baypark, celebrating more than 200 athletes in a state-of-the-art venue. It’s a massive celebration of disability sport, and that’s what makes the festival so special.”
The festival is not only about competition, it’s also about creating opportunities for the wider community to get involved. Have-a-go sessions across the weekend invite people with physical disabilities, including those with low vision or hearing impairments, to experience adaptive sport in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Tan Phuangdokmai, Disability and Ageing Strategic Advisor at Tauranga City Council, says “The festival is an important opportunity to celebrate disabled athletes, promote inclusion, and create more opportunities for people to experience adaptive sport in the community.”
Healthvision's Debra Williams says their organisation is proud to partner alongside Parafed Bay of Plenty bringing this event to life.
“This festival is a powerful example of what happens when the right opportunities are created - athletes shine, communities come together, and disability sport is celebrated on the stage it truly deserves. It is a reminder that sport is for everyone.”
The Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport is proudly supported by the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, a partnership between Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council, TECT, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, which provides funding support to community-driven events that enrich our communities.
Event details:
Mercury Baypark
Saturday, 23 May: 9am–4pm & Sunday, 24 May: 9am–3pm
- Wheelchair Basketball
- Wheelchair Rugby
- Boccia
- Wheelchair Rugby League
- Have-a-go Sessions with Circability & Wheelchair Rugby League
Tauranga Marina - Sulphur Point
Saturday, 23 May: 10am–12pm
More information can be found on the Parafed Bay of Plenty website