Wed Mar 6, 12:00 Read out Sport Lochemse Sports Performance 2023
LOCHEM – Ronald Stapelbroek has been playing modified badminton for 22 years, in recent years in Lochem at BC Lochem. He participates in tournaments in his division nationally and internationally. Sometimes alone, but usually together with his badminton buddy Hans MacDaniel from Waddinxveen and they often end up on the podium. Marjolijn Pezy from Uniek Sporten Lochem happily presented the Lochem Sports Medal to Ronald, who is also an ambassador of Uniek Sporten.
By Mariëlle Frielinck
Ronald was born and raised in Wichmond, but has lived with his partner in Lochem since 2006. Ronald: “I was a member of a club in Doetinchem for a long time where they offered adapted badminton, but in Lochem I consciously became a member of the regular badminton club in order to have more of a challenge in the game. In the beginning, people had to get used to facing someone in a wheelchair, but my experience has allowed me to play badminton well. I have a sports seat that makes me very manoeuvrable. This requires special tactics, because you have to roll, stand still and only then can you hit. When I play badminton there are adjusted rules.”
“I basically participate in a tournament somewhere in the Netherlands once a month and occasionally I play open tournaments abroad. Sometimes alone, but usually together with my doubles partner Hans MacDaniel. He is my buddy, I can read and write with him. Even if we haven’t seen each other for a month, when we are on the track we know exactly what we can do with each other and what someone else will do. Winning is fun, but for me it is secondary, enjoying sports is the most important.”
Ronald is an ambassador of Uniek Sporten and in this capacity he shows, as an adapted athlete, what is possible and encourages others to also take up sports and exercise. “I think it is important to show how important and fun it is to exercise, especially for people with disabilities. It takes you out of isolation, makes you feel better mentally and exercise is also important for your body. Because of my spasms and because I sit all day, I have many physical complaints. But during exercise a switch goes on and the pain goes away for a while. I am strapped into my sports chair and can therefore move my upper body very smoothly. After exercising I always feel very good, also mentally. My situation can easily make me depressed, but the sports, the fun of the club and the contacts pull me out of this.”
Ronald’s advice to people with disabilities: “If you are unsure whether you can exercise, take a look at the Uniek Sporten website (www.unieksporten.nl) or contact Marjolijn Pezy from Uniek Sporten Lochem. You will be amazed at what is possible. Definitely give it a try, no you have, yes you can get it.”
The Lochem Sports Performance 2023
There are many sports clubs and associations in the municipality of Lochem for young and old. Some large others with only a few members. What many people do not know is that there are also many champions in the municipality. Regional, national and even world champions! The Lochem Sports Council, in collaboration with Welzijn Lochem, wants to put athletes in the spotlight and has created a special prize for this purpose. In the coming weeks, prominent Lochem residents will award the medal for the Lochem Sports Performance 2023 to special athletes. All interviews can be read at www.berkelbode.nl/lochemsesportperformance2023.
2024-03-06 17:03:00
#Fun #participating #important #winning
