Clubs and schools urged to have a go at inclusion survey

LOCAL sporting clubs and schools are being invited to join a program supporting people with disability to participate in club and school sports through a collaboration between the Australian Government, The Australian Sports Commission and Get Skilled Access.

The City of Greater Geelong has urged organisations to take part in the Sport4All Inclusion Scoreboard Survey, giving an indication of what areas of inclusion, if any, need to be improved at the grassroots level.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said the survey would have long-lasting effects on how clubs can become more inclusive.

“Our community benefits when everyone is made to feel welcome and involved in the recreational activity of their choosing,” Cr Sullivan said.

“Whether people with disability want to be involved in playing, coaching, being part of a committee or volunteering, we know that our clubs and broader community will be richer for having them participate.”

Cr Ron Nelson, chair of the council’s sport portfolio, said a larger input from sporting clubs would provide a larger benefit to the inclusivity of the region in sporting spaces.

“It’s important that we ask people with disability how they would like to participate, rather than make assumptions about what they can and can’t do,” Cr Nelson said.

“Small changes can have a big impact on a person with disability and at the same time the wider club or school membership will benefit from having new people, with different energy and abilities, involved.”

To improve the inclusive ‘health’ of their organisations, players, students and coaches are urged to take the following three steps:

Taking the Sport4All Inclusion Scoreboard Survey. The scoreboard will give an indication of what areas of inclusion, if any, need to be improved

Strengthening inclusion skills by taking the online learning course. The opportunity to print the resources will assist in cementing learning and allowing it to be shared more broadly across the organisation, and

Taking what has been learnt back to the school or club and having it put into practice. Sport4All can provide support where necessary.

For more information on Sport4All, head to geelongaustralia.com.au/sport4all/