Geelong has signed up for a pilot program aimed at helping sports clubs and schools become more accessible and inclusive to people with disabilities.
“Inclusive sport matters because it should not be a roadblock if you are disabled,” inclusion advocate Noah Callan said.
“The disability community wants the adrenaline rush when playing a sport just like everyone else.
“The best way for sports to be more inclusive is thinking a bit differently, like having more time for a free kick.”
Mr Callan is an associate of Get Skilled Access, a business enterprise founded by Paralympic gold medallist and Grand Slam champion Dylan Alcott.
The enterprise is running the federally-funded Sport4All program pilot in greater Geelong, along with five other Victorian municipalities.
Project co-ordinator Ben Pettingill said sport should be for all Australians.
“Sport is engrained in Australian culture, participating in sport should not be a privilege only for some depending on ability, it should be every Australian’s right.
“This is why Sport4All is so exciting, it will change the way disability and inclusion are viewed in mainstream sport and will result in people with disability like myself, as someone who is blind, being able to participate in sport when, where and how we choose.”
To support the pilot Geelong council plans to recruit a ‘local hero’ disability inclusion program coordinator.
“Geelong is the home of the NDIS and the council has a strategic intent to be the most inclusive community in Australia,” councillor Anthony Aitken said.
“This is another major step to supporting that aim.”
Details: sport4all.com.au
