New approach to inclusive sport

THE Geelong and Bellarine community will have a opportunity to be part of a new national program to make sport more accessible for people with disability.

Sport4All aims to help sporting clubs and schools become more accessible and inclusive to enable people with disability to have choice and control over where and how they would like to participate in sport.

The new program for the City of Greater Geelong has been commissioned and funded by the Australian Government in collaboration with Sports Australia and is delivered by Get Skilled Access, founded by Paralympic gold medallist and Grand Slam champion Dylan Alcott.

The city is one of six municipalities in the state to host the pilot and is assisting with the recruitment of a ‘Local Hero’ disability inclusion program coordinator to work with local sporting clubs and schools.

The part-time Local Hero role will be offered as a six-month opportunity for a person with disability who has been involved in sport as a player, volunteer or administrator.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said it was important that people with disability had the same opportunities to participate in sports as everyone else.

Volunteering and Disability portfolio chair Cr Anthony Aitken said the program was a major coup for Geelong and would shine a national focus on how members of our community with disabilities can be included and participate.

“It is exciting and a real privilege to be partnering with Dylan Alcott and his team, probably the highest profile athlete in the world with a disability and of course recently crowned 2021 French Open Winner,” Cr Aitken said.

“I encourage community members with a disability and the relevant skills and experience in sport to consider applying for this new role and I highly recommend that local sporting clubs and schools consider getting involved with this important pilot program.”

Sport4All project coordinator at Get Skilled Access Ben Pettingill said Sport4All would change the way disability and inclusion is viewed in mainstream sport, and people with disability, like himself who was blind, being able to participate in sport when, where and how they chose.

Get Skilled Access Associate Noah Callan said the disability community wanted an adrenalin rush when playing a sport just like everyone else.

For more information on the Sport4All website.