One of New Zealand’s largest disability sporting events, proudly sponsored by Healthvision

Highlights from 2025

The Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport 2025 was a powerful celebration of ability, inclusion, and fun! Held over two exciting days in Tauranga, this free event brought together physically disabled athletes, low-vision and hearing-impaired participants, and their whānau and supporters from all around the country.

Whether you came to play, try something new, or just enjoy the atmosphere — it was a weekend full of energy, connection, and inspiration.

What Happened at the 2025 Festival?

Three amazing venues. Two big days. So many ways to get involved.

Over the weekend of Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May, the Festival lit up the following Tauranga venues:

  • Mercury Baypark Arena

  • Sulphur Point (Tauranga Marina)

  • Club Mount Maunganui Bowls

From competitive games to casual HAVE-A-GO sessions, there was something for everyone!

Our Sports and Activities

Wheelchair Tournaments and Have-a-go Activities

Wheelchair Tournaments (rugby, rugby league, basketball, boccia)

HAVE-A-GO Sessions (badminton, cricket, boccia, adaptive gym, table-tennis, volleyball and more!)


Tri-Games

Bowling, Petanque and Croquet

Sailability

Sailing Sessions

Looking Ahead to 2026

The next Festival of Disability Sport will be back in 2026 — even bigger and better! In the meantime, we’ll keep celebrating the power of adaptive sport and the strength of our community.

📸 Check Out the Photos and Videos!
Relive the action and smiles from the weekend on our social media:

We can’t wait to see you again in 2026! Until then, keep moving, stay connected, and know that you belong in sport.

More Information

  • Sat, 10 May - Mercury Baypark Arena, Tauranga:

    • 9am - 4pm: Wheelchair Rugby (Courts 6 - 9)

    • 9am - 4pm: Wheelchair Basketball (Courts 4 & 5)

    • 10am - 12pm: Inclusive Play (Court 7)

    • 10am - 2pm: Boccia (Court 8)

    • 12pm - 2pm: Badminton (Court 7)

    • 12pm - 1pm: Wheelchair Basketball Community Game (Court 4)

    Sat, 10 May – Sulphur Point, Tauranga Marina:
    • 10am - 12pm: Sailability Tauranga. Registration is compulsory.


    Sat, 10 May – Club Mount Maunganui:
    • 2pm - 4pm: Blind Low Vision will organise "Tri Games" (Lawn Bowls, Petanque, and Croquet rotation)

    Sun, 11 May - Mercury Baypark Arena, Tauranga:

    • 9am - 3pm: Wheelchair Rugby (Courts 6 - 9)

    • 9am - 3pm: Wheelchair Basketball (Courts 4 & 5)

    • 10am - 12pm: Rugby League Skills & Drills with The Warriors Community Team and Bay of Plenty Rugby League (Court 8)

    • 10am - 12pm: Northern Districts Cricket (Court 7)

    • 12pm - 2pm: Circability (Court 7)

    • 12.30pm - 1.30pm: Wheelchair Rugby League SHOWDOWN Game Court 8)

  • The Festival included inclusive "HAVE-A-GO" sessions where people of all abilities could try out sports for the first time. These sessions were open to:

    • Youth with disabilities

    • People with low vision or hearing impairments

    • Whānau, friends, and community supporters

    These sessions were all about trying something new, having fun, and connecting with others — no experience needed!

  • Healthvision in Action

    The Healthvision team didn’t just sponsor the event — we were part of it!

    • We helped with scoring, umpiring, and joining in the games

    • The Allied Health team ran a Warm-Up & Recovery Tent to keep athletes ready to roll

    • On Mother’s Day Sunday, we celebrated mums and caregivers with surprise giveaways 💐

    We were proud to support every athlete and every volunteer with kindness, energy, and respect.

  • For General Registration for the 2026 Festival, contact Suzanne at: suzanne@parafedbop.co.nz

    Volunteer inquiries are also welcome.

    How to Register for Wheelchair Rugby:
    Register through your local club, Parafed, or contact Rob at admin@wheelchairrugby.org.nz

    How to Register for Wheelchair Basketball:
    Wheelchair Basketball registration is open for individuals interested in participating in the Kotahitanga Collective. There are two rounds, the first round being part of the Festival of Disability Sport and the second in Palmerston North in August. Players can enter in one or both rounds. Contact the Tournament Directors for more details - Glenn McDonald glennmcdnz@hotmail.com or Pauline Cant whaeapauline@gmail.com

Festival Sponsors

Contact us

We’d love to hear from you. For more information, contact Suzanne or fill out the message form provided.

Email: suzanne@parafedbop.co.nz

How to Register for Wheelchair Basketball:

Wheelchair Basketball registration is open for individuals interested in participating in the Kotahitanga Collective. There are two rounds, the first round being part of the Festival of Disability Sport and the second in Palmerston North in August. Players can enter in one or both rounds. Contact the Tournament Directors for more details - Glenn McDonald: glennmcdnz@hotmail.com or Pauline Cant: whaeapauline@gmail.com