June's Good News
[Image ID - A cover graphic for June’s ‘Good News’ blog post. Featured on the green background is white text with the title of the blog and the Disability Sports Australia logo.]
Welcome back to the second edition of Disability Sports Australia’s (DSA) ‘Good News’ series. We regularly receive news about people doing wonderful things for the active disability space. These range from initiatives, to events, to someone sharing their story. This series compiles a shortlist of favourites we have noticed in the past month.
We hope this series generates a snowball effect of good stories to share leading to further growth in the sector.
Do you have a story you want us to tell?
Please send the story and your contact details to Disability Sports Australia’s email: info@sports.org.au
Wheelchair Rugby Australia Achieves NSO Status
[Image ID - a cover graphic for this section of the ‘Good News’ blog. Featured on a green background is white text detailed in the title above. Accompanying this is the Wheelchair Rugby Australia logo and an image of Wheelchair Rugby officials at a tournament.]
Photo credit: Wheelchair Rugby Australia
Ahead of the 2023 Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championship in early June, Wheelchair Rugby Australia (WRA) was informed by the Australian Sports Commission of its successful application to become a National Sporting Organisation (NSO).
From July 1, 2023, wheelchair rugby for the first time will have an independent body delivering the sport across Australia. This is the result of a four-year plan as WRA transitioned away from being a separate business division of DSA.
“The positive impact that this recognition will have on our game cannot be understated,” WRA CEO Chris Nay said. “To have our own dedicated, independent entity recognised by the Australian Sports Commission is historic in many ways for our sport...”.
To learn more about Wheelchair Rugby Australia and how to get involved, please visit: wheelchairrugby.com.au
Source: Wheelchair Rugby Australia
2. England Inclusive Rugby League’s Participation Record
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Photo credit: Rugby League England
Inclusive Rugby League in England is reaching record-breaking participation numbers. The sport offers three inclusive formats: Wheelchair Rugby League, Physical Disability Rugby League, and Learning Disability Rugby League. All three formats are witnessing more players play the game than ever before with overall registrations increasing by 57% at the start of the season.
Source: Rugby League England
3. Special Olympics World Games
[Image ID - a cover graphic for this section of the ‘Good News’ blog. Featured on a green background is white text detailed in the title above. Accompanying this is the Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 logo and an image of the closing ceremony of the Games at Brandenburg Gate.]
Photo credit: Special Olympics
Berlin recently hosted the world’s largest inclusive sports event. The Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 hosted over 6,500 athletes to play 26 sports over 9 days. More awareness of the Games was made available with its biggest broadcast coverage in history through ESPN, free-to-air television, and international media.
Australia had a team of 64 athletes compete in nine different sports. In total, Australia won 45 medals, including 13 gold, 16 silver and 16 bronze. It has been confirmed that Australia is bidding for the 2027 Games in Perth. If successful, it would be the first Games in the southern hemisphere. The decision will be announced in November.
To learn more about how to get involved with Special Olympics Australia, please visit: specialolympics.com.au
Source: Special Olympics, Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023, ABC News
4. All Abilities Disco
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Photo credit: Willoughby Living
Willoughby City Council’s ‘Dance to the Nines’ has been a roaring success. The co-designed all-abilities disco offers a safe and welcoming environment for people with disability aged 18 and over to dance and meaningfully connect.
The event involves a mixture of live music, DJing, prizes, and food and beverages. The local community has embraced this initiative. The demand has turned it into a quarterly event.
“Dance to the Nines has not only provided a joyous and cheerful atmosphere for participants but has also fostered social inclusion and connectedness among attendees,” praised Willougby Mayor Tanya Taylor.
The upcoming Dance to the Nines dates and themes:
Friday 8 September – Halloween
Friday 8 December – Christmas
To learn more about the next event, please visit: willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Events
To contact directly:
Lea
dcc@willoughby.nsw.gov.au
02 9777 7800
Source: Willoughby Living, Willoughby City Council
5. Football Victoria’s All-Abilities Club Profiles
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Photo credit: Football Victoria
Football Victoria’s recent initiative ‘All-Abilities April’ showcased inclusive programs, stories and events across Victoria. It was a way to celebrate the existing disability-inclusive programs available and educate others wanting to start their accessibility journey.
One of the club profiles featured is Mitchell Rangers SC. Mitchell Rangers SC late last year featured at DSA’s Variety Activate Inclusion Sports Day in Seymour. Their coach, Paul Sirianni, was popular amongst the 70 attendees providing each participant with Mitchell Rangers SC jerseys and balls after his soccer activation.
In the club profile, Sirianni shares how he started the Mitchell Rangers’ All-Abilities program in 2016 and his passion for inclusion.
Click here to read the full profile.
To find out more information on Football Victoria’s All-Abilities League: footballvictoria.com.au/community/programs/all-abilities
To contact Mitchell Rangers SC (All-Abilities are free to register): .mitchellrangers.org.au/wspHome.aspx
Source: Football Victoria
Do you have a story you want us to tell?
Please send the story and your contact details to Disability Sports Australia’s email: info@sports.org.au
