IT WAS the first event of its kind to be held in Ipswich and not likely to be the last.
Ipswich students with physical, sensory, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities were given a day out at the Ipswich Indoor Sports Centre on Wednesday, June 1.
The Ipswich Variety Activate Inclusion Sports was attended by about 90 students from five local schools, according to the Kids Support Manager for Variety Queensland Angela Haines: Ipswich State High School (SHS), Rosewood SHS, Woodlinks SHS, Ipswich Special School and Bundamba State Secondary College.
“It’s a very important day (for them),” she said.
“It’s provided these kids with the opportunity to take part in sports.
“It’s all about increasing the participation rate for kids with disabilities.”
Eleven of these days will be held across the state, she said.
The National Rugby League, Football Queensland, Queensland Cricket, Ipswich Little Athletics and Tennis Australia were all represented at the centre.
Variety Activate Inclusion Sports Days are a free program for kids aged from 5 to 17 years-old that aims to achieve greater inclusivity and participation in sports.
All children who participated were offered a $50 voucher and ongoing support from Variety Queensland to help them join local sports clubs so they can continue playing sports they enjoyed.
According to Ms Haines, this is the second year that the Inclusion Sports Day has run.
“We’re getting great feedback (on the Day,” she said.
“It’s all about them trying a sport and helping them to join a club.”
