Identified as a need through community feedback (as the old gear trailer wasn’t accessible), Parafed Northland’s new trailer allows young people with different accessibility needs to access the trailer independently along with providing inclusive opportunities in play, active recreation and sport.  Parafed Northland exist to ensure inclusive play, active recreation and sport for all Northlanders.

To say Parafed Northland were grateful to receive funding through Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa (a fund administered by Sport Northland on behalf of Sport NZ) for a fully accessible play trailer, is an understatement.  "This creates societal change around accessibility, in fact we have already had other regions asking us how we designed an accessible trailer. Let’s hope we start to see more of these available around the country” says Sharon Carroll from Parafed Northland.

The trailer has been kitted out with a multitude of hooks, which makes it very flexible in its use - it can be filled with play equipment for one thing, and then it can be turned into use for the Northland Wheelchair Basketball team and then again changed up so that it can fit tandems, trikes and handcycles.

The trailer will offer access that Parafed Northland and its members have not had before, where they will be able to take it to a school and have all the students be able to select what interests them and be part of the setup, play and pack up.

To assist with bringing the trailer to the community, tlc4u2 Ltd funded a nine-seater van which will enable Parafed Northland to connect these opportunities to our communities throughout Te Tai Tokerau. And what about all those other sponsors stickers on the trailer? Well, the new trailer presented an opportunity to implement a new sponsorship and fundraising model. Sponsors have been given the opportunity to pay a certain amount for a spot for 12 months, which has provided additional revenue for the organisation. The funding gets utilised to support Northlanders living with disabilities by assisting with opportunities that may not be funded or you can get individual funding for which will greatly increase what Parafed Northland are able to support their members with. All of the funds raised through the opportunity go directly to supporting their members.

Parafed Northland see this as a quality asset for the sector and have provided the opportunity for sporting organisations to utilise this invaluable resource. “Parafed Northland encourages organisations to utilise this resource at various pop-up events happening within the sector” says Anna Hewitt, Parafed Northland Active Recreation & Sports Coordinator.

If you are interested in sponsoring the trailer or your organisation wishes to utilise it at an event please contact admin@parafednorthland.co.nz

Sport Northland’s role is to help connect people and providers with the aim to align and join the components of local play, active recreation and sport system.  If you would like to know more about Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa, reach out to us on phone (09)
​​​​437 9600 or email funding@sportnorth.co.nz