Media
Release 21 October
2009
The Ruddster Draws Barrier 6 in
Sandhurst Cup
ETS debate goes Underground
A carbon
neutral worm race being run at Sandhurst, Australia's
only drought proof suburb in Melbourne,
to raise money for a unique golfing
clinic to teach amputees to play golf, today announced a
slider called 'The Ruddster'.
The Ruddster, a lively wriggler with
good odds and an international track record, has been
entered by a a Melbourne based syndicate.
The Ruddster from Queensland
will carry an ETS saddle cloth and has drawn Barrier six
for the event.
The IWRC (International Worm Racing
Council) the controlling body, will stage the Sandhurst
Cup as an alternative climate change event to the
Melbourne Cup to promote the contribution of worms to
the environment. Race Organiser and
Chief Steward Ron Smith said worms play a major
economic, environmental and social role in climate
change.
"Worms underpin the Australian
agricultural industry and are the environmental cleaners
of household waste through worm farms and condition
Australia's soils, but none of the political parties
have one word in their policies about
Worms.
"The Sandhurst Cup will be run under strict
IWRC rules with random drug testing, no whips, no
hurdles and the dipping of worms in any alcohol before
racing or during training is banned and subject to heavy
fines.
"We believe 'Get It Right' could be
entered by the Federal Opposition."
The Sandhurst Cup will take place at
11.30am Sunday 1 November 2009 at Sandhurst Club.
The starting time of 11.30am is necessary as the race
may take between an hour to two hours to finish
depending if the track is dry or
heavy.
Recent
track work with Sliders at
Sandhurst
Companies or syndicates wanting to
support the Limbs 4 Life golf program by sponsoring a
racing worm should contact Melissa Noonan at
Limbs 4 Life on 1300 782
231.
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Race Organiser and Chief Steward
Mobile: 0417 329 201
Melissa Noonan,
Executive Officer, Limbs 4 Life 1300 782 231
The Amputee Golf Clinic
Program Background
With the support of
Christian Hamilton from the Sandhurst Club and the PGA
Learning Centre Limbs 4 Life launched the first amputee
golf coaching clinic in April 2009.
The
purpose of these clinics is to provide amputees with the
tools required to become involved with golf and have the
confidence to participate.
The
benefits of the amputee golf clinics are twofold;
firstly golf is a wonderful sport for people living with
a physical disability, more so amputees; as it enhances
and challenges balance, assists with flexibility and
aids core stability while promoting general well
being. The second benefit is simply the fact
that the clinics provide the opportunity for amputees to
get together in a relaxed environment and can share the
benefits of peer to peer support.
Amputees from all ages are welcome to
attend. We encourage novice golfers while they are still
in-patients at rehabilitation hospitals. It gives them
something positive to focus on outside of what is a
serious clinical environment. Ideally we would
like more women and children to get involved too and
will make that a part of our focus in the coming months.
Amputee golf clinics are promoted under
the guise of "focus on something you CAN do" and golf is
a perfect fit.
Testimonials from
participants
I love
attending the clinics and I always learn something and
come away with a real sense of satisfaction. Mark
(below knee amputee)
Since losing my legs
all I have wanted to do is play golf - slowly this is
becoming a reality for me. I travel from Ballarat to
attend every clinic. I am so happy. Allan (bilateral
above knee amputee)
I never really thought
of all the benefits that the clinics would bring. Thank
you all so much. Chris (arm
amputee)
