New all-abilities sports club to launch in Geelong

Scott Smith alongside participant Ollie Burkett. Photos: NATHAN RIVALLAND

A NEW inclusion club is launching tomorrow (October 6) and hopes to share the joys of sport with more local children with disabilities.

The Geelong All-Abilities Sports Club (STARS) Family Launch Day will be held at the Barwon Regional Cricket Centre.

The event will introduce the community to STAR’s offering for children aged 5–15 years and will feature a series of come and try sports workshops.

Geelong’s newest sports club is being led by 2022 National NAB Auskick Volunteer of the Year and former Newcomb FNC junior coordinator Scott Smith.

Mr Smith introduced All-Abilities Auskick to the Geelong region and has worked in the disability and support sector for close to 10 years.

Geelong All-Abilities Sports Club is being led by 2022 National NAB Auskick Volunteer of the Year Scott Smith.

He said the new venture would service children and their families keen to access sport in a different way.

“I really enjoyed what I was doing at Newcomb and this is another way of helping more clubs to be inclusive,” he said.

“We will be working with clubs in football, netball, baseball, basketball, little athletics and so on to make all-abilities programs available to them.

“Leisure Networks has some amazing programs for the older kids, and this will be there to complement that and help the younger kids.”

A membership with STAR will include athletic clothing and a backpack, and all program costs.

“Say there’s four clubs across the region that are running football, then we will connect the kids with them and pay for them to be part of it,” Mr Smith said.

“If the kids really love it and want to continue with it, then they can join more mainstream programming with Leisure Networks.

“I’ve been working with Luke Maher on it all and essentially we will be there to connect them and make sure those kids are looked after.”

The club will be based out of the Barwon Regional Cricket Centre for the time being, but it is on the hunt for a home.

It will host its first program with the South Barwon Cricket Club on October 9.

For more, head to the Geelong All-Abilities Sports Club Facebook page.