Classifications in wheelchair racing

 Wheelchair racing is divided into different classifications so that there is fair competition among athletes

 In T53/T54 competitions, athletes compete with spinal cord injuries. They generally have normal upper limb/arm function but no abdominal or lower spine muscle activity

 Madi competes in the T53 classification in the T53/54 race events

 Her events include the T53/T54 1500m wheelchair race as well as the Women’s T53/T54 marathon

Racing Tech

tubing fork momentum phase

9 first axle past the finish line is the winner

Frames can be aluminium, carbon-fibre or hybrid wheelchair racers reach high speeds –helmets are essential

Madi is being fitted for a new race chair for her 2023 racing calendar! Race chairs are 100% custom-built for the racer. Madi”s is being built in partnership with F1 racing team, Sauber. Body measurements are scanned and 3D moulds are taken to get the perfect fit and optimum speed for Madi. Race chairs are tested for aerodynamics using tunnel testing with smoke.

The straps which keep racers in their chairs are made with pressure mapping to keep racers stable

3 rubber-coated 3D-printed gloves made by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) pushrim – riders push this rubber coated ring to propel momentum

6 power phase

Race chairs can cost up to $40,000 – including chair and wheels

Madi uses the ‘clockface” method to push

3-6 is the power phase

6-9 is the momentum phase “I can take a long time to get to speed but I can hold a high speed once I get there. A big part

Challenge 1 Improve your performance!

Want to improve your fitness, refine your sports skills or achieve a personal best? Work towards improving your times by recording your performance and charting your progress. Challenge yourself or challenge your whole class!

What you will need:

stopwatch or stopwatch app measurement device someone to record your stats!

Marginal gains - this is a method athletes use to improve their progress, one tiny bit at a time.

‘Higher, better, faster, stronger’ - did you know that this is the Olympic motto?

‘You have to enjoy the journey. That’s the best part of playing.’

Step 1

Together with a friend, team, or group, brainstorm what area of improvement you want to focus on. You could aim to:

" improve your daily/weekly step count for overall fitness improvement

" practice throwing or hitting a ball harder, faster or further

" improve your long-distance running or short-distance sprinting

" refine your technique – video record your netball passes, high-jump attempts, or tennis serves

Be your own coach!

" get your steps up

" practice goal-shooting

" track strength training

" record yourself training

Record your stats and progress!

" get a partner to record your times or capture your stats while you practice

" record yourself training and watch back to see how you could improve your technique for better performance

" have you set small goals for marginal gains?

" do you have a new PB (personal best) you are working towards?

Step 3

Time to look at your amazing progress either in your stats or in videos analysing your technique!

" Chart your data using Excel, Sheets, Numbers or even Canva pie charts or bar charts and see where you’ve improved or where there is room for improvement.

" Did you have a particular goal in mind? Did you meet it or even exceed it?

" What’s your next goal?

Step 2

How are you going to capture your progress or record and chart your performances?

You could use:

" stopwatch or stopwatch app on your phone

" measurement tool like a tape measure or an app on your device

" a partner!

We”ve created a template for you!

Challenge 2

Start an esports club!

Are you an esports player?

Could you create a club at your school? Try one of the new immersive maker worlds in Minecraft Education and work together to create, collaborate, or even battle!

Step 1

Set up a club or a tournament using one of the pre-made worlds in Minecraft Education (chat with your teacher)

Brainstorm your tournament!

» where will you hold it?

» what will the criteria be?

» Who will be the judge?

Esports Stats

Australia’s top esports player has earned more than $6 million!

What are esports?

Esports is just like every other sport, but it sits on a new electronic platform. Minecraft challenges are just one type of esport challenge.

Step 2

Explore some of the new maker worlds in Minecraft Education

Select an arena or challenge space to use

Agree on your challenge and criteria

Prepare posters, competition entry forms and start to promote your tournament

Allocate jobs such as scorer or statistician

There are hundreds of millions of viewers of esports globally.

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Step 3

Run a dress rehearsal before the tournament

Reflect, evaluate and consider how you could improve for next time

Teachers! Check out the Club Starter Kit and Educator Framework!

Challenge 3

Design your own sport or game!

Are you a creative thinker on AND off the pitch? Have you ever imagined what netball would be like crossed with badminton? Handball crossed with goalball? The mind boggles! Together with a partner or team, could you create an entirely new sport, playing field or stadium - and how will it be played?

Hint - it could be in 2D, 3D or virtually!

Step 1

" How will your game be played – is it physical or virtual?

" Is it an individual or team sport?

" What are the game guidelines and rules?

" Do you need equipment to play?

" Would you need a field or stadium to play in?

Step 2

" Could you prototype your game using an app framework?

" How will you get your game or esport up and running?

Step 3

" How will you promote your game or tournament?

" What prizes could you offer?

Could your game be developed into an app? Try this!

Explore these issues for ideas!

COMING SOON!

Sport is constantly evolving! Three new sports will debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics: surfing / skateboarding / sport climbing

You’ll be able to check them out at the Paris 2024 Olympics

Challenge 4

Call and capture the action!

Do you love the thrill of watching live sport or your favourite team play? Could you call a game like a commentator or write a report on the match or event? Could you capture compelling photos or video to complete the picture? Take the challenge and give sports journalism a go!

Step 1

With friends or your class, explore a sporting match or event that’s coming up at your school this term. You could even profile a team! Who will write the article? Who will take the photos or video footage?

Cover a swimming, athletics or cross-country carnival for your school newspaper or podcast

Interview or profile a sportsperson or team at your school

Cover PSSA or a tournament at your school

Did you know that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) identifies chess as a sport? It’s a tournament of the minds!

Sports reporting jobs

Sydney student Abbie is doing it HER WAY! Abbie started her own sports magazine (now blog) by interviewing superstars of Australian women’s sport. Armed with questions, her mobile and a microphone attachment, Abbie has had some incredible scoops, while continuing to champion our womens’ sports stars. Listen to her podcast and be sure to check out her website!

Step 2  What role will you play?  What are you making?   Who is your audience?

Sports reporter or journalist (TV/radio/ print/online)

Gather information by talking to sports people and researching events and news stories. Sports reports begin with the most important information about the match or tournament first. You could then follow it up with information like quotes, photos or other details.

Sports photographers and filmmakers

Create a list of shots you want to capture before you head out on the grounds – do you want to capture sports people, umpires or referees, coaches or spectators – or everyone?

Sports podcasters

Top tools to help!

What’s your angle? Are you creating a one-on-one interview or will it be an audio recording of a sports report you have written? Do you have recording equipment on your phone? How will you create your podcast? Who is the audience and what are you covering?

Want to brush up on your writing, podcasting or filmmaking skills? Don’t forget to try the following step-by-step tools for ideas!

Step 3

Time to share your stories!

1. Publish your article

2. Create a website – build a Google Site and post your articles, photos and videos up

3. Create a sports newsletter with Sway

4. Publish and share your podcast as an audio file for the school news

5. Create a virtual exhibition of sports photography using immersive VR technology

Great names for a sports podcast!

Around the Grounds

Inside the Locker Room

On the Starting Blocks

The Inside Running

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