Disability Sports Australia launches Start Up Kidz!

Disability Sports Australia is excited to announce the “Start Up Kidz” multi-adaptive-sports program rolling out in 2020 for children with a physical disability, made possible through support from Sport Australia through a “Move It AUS” grant.

The Move It AUS Grants focus on promoting physical activity opportunities for all life stages specifically targeting population groups most at risk of being inactive. “In childhood, the opportunity to try out a range of different sports is an important part of developing physical literacy, choosing sports they like and establish lifelong patterns of physical activity” said Jenni Cole, CEO of Disability Sports Australia. “This opportunity is largely missing for a great majority of children with a physical disability, particularly in terms of adaptive sports that they can safely enjoy and succeed in”.

Launching in summer across six (6) regional and metropolitan areas, Start Up Kidz aims to address this gap by providing the opportunity for children with a disability to sample a range of adaptive sports in a fun and supportive environment. Information about dates and locations will be made available in the coming week on the Start Up Kidz website here!

We are now calling for all children who are interested to register their interest at www.startupkidz.com.au as places are limited. Each child will have the ability to try at least six (6) fun and adaptive sports during each program with the anticipation that they can be supported to then register for a sport that they loved and carry on playing in their local community.

Start Up Kidz program is supported by Disability Sports Advisor Physiotherapists

An integral part of the Start Up Kidz program is the expertise behind the program. All children will be given the opportunity to receive pre- and post program assessments by Disability Sports Advisors, who are specially trained Physiotherapists supported by Disability Sports Australia. “Physiotherapists have unique expertise in both working with kids with disabilities and in physical literacy and helping people become more active. We are excited to provide additional training to these professionals in disability sport, to equip them to be able to provide this level of assessment and advice for kids with disabilities to get active and into sport through the Start Up Kidz program” said Jenni Cole, CEO Disability Sports Australia. These assessments will better inform both the parents and child of the most suitable sports and active recreation opportunities for them and provide personalised modifications or advice for participating in sport.

Start Up Kidz is calling for expressions of interest from Physiotherapists who wish to be trained as Disability Sports Advisors for this program. The program will involve attendance at a training day (one full day - attendance is free of charge) and providing both pre- and post assessments for at least one (1) Start Up Kidz program We are encouraging all physios around NSW to register their interest at https://www.startupkidz.com.au/disability-sports-advisors

For more information about Start Up Kidz or Disability Sports Advisors please contact Program Manager – Start Up Kidz, Amelia Stanislas on (0438) 219 009 or at startupkidz@sports.org.au for follow Start Up Kidz:

Website www.startupkidz.com.au

Instagram @startupkidzsport

Facebook @startupkidz