A LOCAL community basketball team is seeking new members.<\/p>\n
Special Olympics Basketball Ballarat provides opportunities for those with an intellectual disability to share their love of the sport while being active, social, and building self-esteem.<\/p>\n
The team is part of the Special Olympics Network, which began in Australia in 1976 and aims to ensure people with an intellectual disability are not shut out of institutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s just a great thing for kids with disabilities or adults to come and join in, make friends and have a great time,\u201d said Nicole Strickland, Special Olympics Ballarat Basketball manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got involved because my daughter started playing about five years ago, and then three years ago they needed more help with getting stuff organised.<\/p>\n
\u201cI jumped in so my daughter could still play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Special Olympics Network currently sees more than 7000 participants nationally taking part in 18 sports, as well as top-level competitions like the World Games which is hosted every four years.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just hope they have fun, it\u2019s all about enjoyment,\u201d Strickland said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy daughter\u2019s come a long way and she\u2019s playing for Australia in Germany later in the year for the Special Olympics, so you never know what basketball\u2019s going to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just love the smiles on their faces, you don\u2019t realise it until you see it, the smallest little thing makes their day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just think more people need to realise people with disabilities can still do things.\u201d<\/p>\n