Sports program creating healthier communities
All-abilities sports programs are thriving in Geelong, providing more opportunities for everyone to stay physically active and make social connections.
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural season launch of the All-Abilities program at North Geelong Cricket Club.
This program joins a club with a rich history that spans 145 years. This new chapter will mean that people of all ages, abilities and skill levels will be able to participate in cricket, providing an inclusive program for all to enjoy.
As a cornerstone of Geelong, our sports clubs are a place where people make lifelong friendships, enjoy physical activity and gain life skills, all while they learn important values like teamwork and resilience.
The first season of all-abilities cricket looks to foster a space where every participant can play without fear of judgment and feel like they are a valued member of the cricketing family.
In the past decade, a range of sports programs have been established with inclusivity and community connection at the forefront.
Leisure Networks has worked closely with the City’s Community Participation team with a shared focus to build a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone can feel connected.
Leisure Networks is a not-for-profit community organisation whose aim is to empower those living with disabilities to find connections and thrive. Through its consulting services, the organisation has supported the development of a range of all-abilities sports programs in Greater Geelong in recent years.
Its Supporting Community Sport consultancy oversaw the establishment of the Geelong Dragons AFL all-abilities team in 2016 in conjunction with AFL Victoria and Bell Park Football Netball Club.
Following the success of this program, Leisure Networks recognised a burgeoning interest for all-abilities participation in AFL and identified the need for a local AFL all-abilities League.
Subsequent work with AFL Barwon and four local clubs saw the establishment of the Barwon All-Abilities League in 2023. This league continues to go from strength to strength, and now attracts 120 participants annually.
The AFL Barwon All-Abilities Netball League also has four clubs with 45 players in total participating in weekly competition.
Leisure Networks has also supported inclusivity on the basketball court, leading the establishment of the Geelong United All-Abilities Basketball League in 2023. The League runs Winter and Summer competitions with 100 participants.
Through its consultancy, Leisure Networks has established 18 different sports competitions spanning baseball, basketball, netball, football, cricket and golf.
These competitions run within specialist schools and sports clubs across the Greater Geelong region, and in total attracted more than 1100 participants in the 2023-24 financial year.
The success of these programs is a testament to the Leisure Networks team and the established sports clubs that have advocated for all-abilities sport and its inclusion in their programs.
Geelong also boasts other organisations that provide sports-oriented programs to support people with disabilities.
One organisation, Achilles, is on a mission to make running and walking more accessible to people with disabilities, including visual impairment, with the support of volunteer aides or guides.
The importance of providing access to sport for people of all-abilities cannot be understated.
Participation in sport is not only good for physical and mental health, it strengthens connections within the community, builds teamwork skills, and provides ongoing social opportunities for people to feel included and connected.
I look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of all-abilities sport in Geelong.
As always, I am happy to speak to anyone on Council-related matters. Please see below my contact details:
Cr Eddy Kontelj
Hamyln Heights Ward