THE Australian National Sportfishing Association of New South Wales (ANSA NSW) with the help of our NSW Fishing Licence Trust Fund has developed a programme that is helping the disabled in our community to either learn how, or more importantly, get back into fishing.
The Fishing 4 Therapy program has been going for approximately four years and achieving some incredible results. Tony Steiner, ANSA Special Project Officer, runs the program along with a dedicated band of well-intentioned volunteers who work with people who suffer from Acquired Brain Injury from stroke or accidents, to those with Cerebral Palsey, Down Syndrome, depression and other mental health issues.
Fishing 4 Therapy works with the associations and carers of these groups and builds elements of physical or social therapy into the fishing trips. The concept is to try and get involvement in physical activity that builds on basic eye/hand coordination as well as social interaction. It’s a form of rehabilitation that for most would never happen.
Tony’s team has developed rods and equipment custom made to suit the individual, so that all of the above can be done with just one hand and without the use of electric reels. This creates a level playing field for everyone fishing, disabled or not, and for a few hours disabilities are a distant memory.
Fishing sessions are run inside Sydney’s Centennial Park, thanks to a partnership that has been forged between the Parks management and ANSA NSW. The Park has provided ANSA NSW with a unique fishing platform that spans over a pond and allows easy access for wheelchair and walking frames. The ponds provide a safe, relaxing environment and the chance to fish for the carp in the ponds.
Usually, fishing is prohibited within Centennial Park, however, Tony has been given special approval for the sessions which also help with the carp management programme.
ANSA NSW has now brought online a second world class venue out in western Sydney to cope with the large amount of interest and need for this specialty service. We have never turned away a disability, we just keep making different gear for them to use. We have worked with participants who have been disabled by brain injury, blindness, stroke, amputation, Cerebral Palsey & Down Syndrome and recently held a trial fishing session with a group to help with their family & youth Outreach program.
Fishing is a great tool as it helps develop therapy sessions for not just the physical but mental health and social interaction as well. And it’s not just the attendees who benefit but their carers as well. They get a break and for a brief time can interact on a level playing field, while in a quiet relaxed state.
The fishing time also opens doors for talking and communication that offers the chance to cover issues that otherwise may not be brought out easily.
But the real example of success comes from probably the most common thing we take for granted – spending time with your family and children. Watching a disabled dad spend time with his kids, fishing with them, laughing and having fun while he shows them how to fish is priceless for us at ANSA NSW.
ANSA NSW believes fishing is for everyone in the community.
The sessions are run at no cost to those attending, with running costs being covered by funding through the NSW Fishing Trust, but what is great to see is that some of our disabled anglers are thanking us by going out and purchasing NSW Fishing Licences and carrying them like badges of honour.
Fishing 4 Therapy and its band of well intentioned volunteers are putting back the quality, fun, laughter and dignity into the lives of those around us who want to share in one of our greatest pastimes.
For more information please contact Tony and the team via: www.ansansw.com.au
