PARAPLEGIC & QUADRIPLEGIC GAMES AND
FESPIC GAMES STAGED IN HOLROYD AREA

One aspect of sports in the Holroyd area has been the staging of National and International events for disabled athletes.

In 1972, as part of Council's centenary celebrations, the Seventh National Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Games was held at the Merrylands Oval. The Games were held between March 11 and 17 and officially opened by NSW Minister for Child Welfare and Social Welfare, Mr John Waddy, O.B.E., D.F.C., M.L.A. The events included archery, darchery (played with darts), discus, javelin, shot-put, basketball, track events, slalom, swimming, weightlifting, bowls, table tennis, fencing and snooker, with 24 recognised world records being broken. From these Games a team was chosen to represent Australia at the Paralympic Games that were held at Heidelberg, Germany, in August 1972, with 1000 competitors from 35 countries taking part.

Seventh National Paraplegic and Quadraplegic Games
held March 11-17,1972, in Holroyd.

Five years later, the 2nd FESPIC Games were held. These Games were staged at different locations within the Parramatta and Holroyd Council areas, again including Merrylands Oval. Between November 20 and 26, 1977, 430 participants from 16 countries and territories in the region took part in the Games of "Dignity and Honour of Disabled".

January 10 to 16 1999, will see the 7th FESPIC Games being held in Bangkok, Thailand, with an estimated 2,500 competitors from 42 countries participating.