“The expectation was just to be the first all-abilities team at the event to represent Australia. When we made finals and got to day two it was amazing. Winning was the absolute cherry on top. They were able to do it because they felt so supported and could give their best.
“Our Australian team had to travel the furthest to go to America – financially and physically it was a huge thing to get people over there.” Altschwager says the Packalines – temporary line markings that leave no trace when removed – were instrumental in preparing the team for success on the world stage. “Having the Packalines was amazing as it showed the athletes how to space themselves correctly and safely, and their impact really showed when they were up on stage performing. “Being able to train with the lines was a big contributing factor to the team's success. I don't know how we would have been able to prepare for Orlando without the lines in such a short timeframe.” She says the Packalines, which come in reels of different lengths and can be easily cut to size, were invaluable for the team’s choreography practices because they could be transported and used in many indoor venues without damaging the floor or leaving behind adhesive residue. "The first time we used the Packalines they were underneath the athletes and we just did walkthroughs of our routine so they could understand where they were on the floor. After that, we pulled them back further, and the last step was retracting the lines almost fully so they were only a few inches long and acting as guides only. "They were just such an excellent tool because without them the team's formations and patterns wouldn't have been so defined. The lines are very tactile and their bright colour stood out against the floor, which was great for those with vision impairments.” The impact of the support extends beyond the practical training benefits, Altschwager says. "Everyone was so appreciative when they heard the lines had arrived. They couldn't believe people cared so much." Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts says he’s thrilled to support the groundbreaking team with its innovative product. "When we heard about Australia sending its first all-abilities team to the world championships, we knew our Packalines could help set them up for success. “Seeing them win gold confirms what we've always believed – that with the right tools, everyone can participate and excel in sport regardless of ability." Originally developed for marking temporary courts for boccia, an inclusive sport popular among players with disabilities, Packalines have found applications across numerous other sports including the outer court lines for basketball and volleyball, and now as a training aid for hip hop and cheerleading. With hip hop and cheerleading now recognised as a sport by the International Olympic Committee the future looks bright for the disciplines. Globally, hundreds of thousands of people compete in cheerleading, with 11,000 athletes in Australia alone. Altschwager, who has a background in dancing and gymnastics but discovered hip hop and cheerleading when she was 21, believes the sports offer unique opportunities for inclusion. The all abilities cheer and hip hop categories are prime examples and Altschwager says the gold medal winning Australian team included members with vision and hearing impairments, Down syndrome, people on the autism spectrum, and people with an amputation. “Cheerleading and hip hop are exciting, they’re infectious. There's a place for everyone, no matter your body shape or height. The dance I did growing up, everyone had to look the same and have the same body types, but in cheerleading and hip hop there's a place for diversity.” Altschwager says Packalines are an ideal tool for boosting training effectiveness and could also benefit other dance and athletic teams that need portable training solutions. "When you are moving out of your regular training environment, Packalines are perfect." >> Want to know more about our portable line markings? Visit our the Packalines product page. Video: Training with Packalines
Video: The winning routineVideo: The wild celebrations!Comments are closed.
|
OUR PURPOSETO MAKE THE JOY OF SPORT REAL TO MORE PEOPLE - to find out more click here CATEGORIES
All
|
RSS Feed
Company |
Product information |
PaymentYou're welcome to pay by credit card, internet banking or Paypal. Credit card payments are fully secure. IMPORTANT NOTE - Not all products are available to be purchased online. Check out each respective storefront to check on availability.
|
Wellington, 6037,
New Zealand |
