All abilities invited to have a go

PEOPLE with a disability are being encouraged to attend a come and try day where they can have a go at a range of accessible and inclusive sports and activities including archery, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair badminton, modified bicycle riding and “dance and roll”.

Whitney Sharpe, an occupational therapist from Solve Disability Solutions and event organiser, said anyone with a disability is welcome to come along and “have free range of all the different activities.”

“For me, as a person without a disability, sports play a huge part in my life, and I think there’s quite a gap at the moment for people with disabilities accessing sports,” she said.

“So, as well as the individual having the chance to try these sports themselves, we’re also trying to work with local clubs to help them become more accessible and inclusive, so that a person in the Ballarat region can come down and try something, then go off and actually participate locally.

“It’s an opportunity for clubs who cater for people with disabilities to come to the day to recruit new members too.

“We’re also planning on having Disability Sport & Recreation there, plus AAA Play.”

The Inclusive Community Sports Day is set for Ballarat Badminton Stadium on Friday, 9 July, from midday to 3.30pm. You can register via bit.ly/2SsVIGE.

For further information contact Solve Disability Solutions’ recreation coordinator Tim Marchinton on 9853 8655.