Suns setting new standard of inclusion

THE SURF Coast Suns’ All-Abilities netball team is fresh off the final game of its first season and club representatives are saying 2023 can’t come soon enough.

Surf Coast Suns president Mike Thomas said it was a massive achievement for the Suns to build a full squad of 10 for 2022, after it could only gather five players in 2021, forcing them to merge with Geelong West.

“Their enthusiasm has been so infectious this season, it has been remarkable,” Mr Thomas said.

“You can see it in some of the photos we take, and I witness it first-hand when I check in on the team, it’s awesome to see.

“We haven’t just put a name to the team, we have made sure that the players are members of the club, and this is something that we will continue to grow.”

Four teams are currently in Geelong’s All-Abilities netball league featuring Surf Coast Suns, Lara, St Joseph’s and Geelong West, but more clubs are being encouraged to create teams of their own.

Each week teams compete in matches at Kardinia Park’s netball complex and at this stage only runs during the winter season, but Mr Thomas said there are talks to run a season over the summer period.

“From our perspective, inclusion has always been the main driver for this team,” Mr Thomas said.

“Everybody deserves to play sport and the greatest thing about sport is that regardless of what level you can play, there is always a competition for you.

“Leisure Networks ensured that we were able to recruit a few members in our community on the Surf Coast and it has really grown our club as a result, not just in netball but as a whole too.”

Isela Bridges was credited by the club as being the person responsible for setting up the team.

“This team doesn’t happen without Isela, she works in the all-abilities area, so she has experience in this kind of thing, she just took the team with both hands and ran with it,” Mr Thomas added.

The All-Abilities league is facilitated by AFL Barwon, Netball Victoria and disability service provider Leisure Networks.

Interested parties in joining All-Abilities netball at the Suns are encouraged to head to the club’s website at www.surfcoastsuns.com or contact the club directly.