Region’s first all-ability netball program to take first steps

NEWCOMB Football Netball Club continues to lead by example when it comes to inclusion, kicking off a new all-abilities netball program that is a first for the region.

The club’s junior co-ordinator Scott Smith is encouraging anyone struggling to find a sports program that fits their child’s needs to give Newcomb’s NetSetGo program a go over the next three Wednesdays.

“With the exception of the sports themselves, a lot of the tactics we used with our All-Abilities Auskick are the same here with our new netball program,” Smith said.

“It’s short, sharp drills with lots of activities and smaller groups focused on passing, shooting and movement.

“We have full club support for the program, and we have the assistance of a handful of senior players.

“As a result of this program, we will now have All Abilities programs running across all four terms of the year, which is a massive step not only for the club, but also for families across the region who have a child living with a disability.”

Ollie Burkitt was diagnosed with autism, which meant conventional sporting programs were not suitable for him.

Alicia, Ollie’s mother, said her son had a terrific experience with Newcomb’s all-abilities football program last term after several unsuccessful attempts to get him into sports.

“We’ve tried a lot of sports in the past like karate, basketball and others, but he found them very difficult to participate in due to group sizes and the number of instructions involved,” Ms Burkitt said.

“He needs something a little bit more calming and adaptive, which Scott and his team did a terrific job of doing.

“We’re based in Armstrong Creek, so I wouldn’t consider us local to Newcomb, but this was the only program we could find in our general area.

“There is a big need for programs like this, even in areas like ours, there would be a big uptake.”

The first of four sessions was held yesterday (Wednesday, July 20). The remaining sessions are scheduled to take place on July 27, August 3 and August 10 running from 4.45-5.30pm, catering to children aged from five to 15 years old.

All interested families can register their child by heading to playhq.com/netball-australia/register/c89082