The Disability Trust has teamed up with the Mazda Foundation to start a new primary schools sports program in the Campbelltown region aimed at improving the sporting and social skills of children with disabilities.
The Sports Ready Program will be rolled out from the start of the next school term.
It was formally launched in Campbellfield Public School, Minto last Wednesday.
The aim of the program is to teach the participants a variety of sports each term to help improve their fine and gross motor skills.
The program will be delivered over an eight week period each term with some of the activities the students will participate in each term include cricket, soccer, hockey, netball, basketball and athletics to name a few.
Students also learn secondary skills through rules, teamwork, taking turns and sporting etiquette which has a particular emphasis on teamwork.
“This program is invaluable in teaching a variety of sporting and recreational skills to participate at a young age,’’ says Michael Norris, manager, The Disability Trust.
“It enables the students with disabilities to access a program that helps them to learn the skills in a supportive environment in manner that meets their learning needs.
“Based upon the success of the program in the Illawarra we hope to see the same outcomes where students are participating in school sports or in the playground with their peers on a regular basis,’’ Mr Norris said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“We hope that some students will also be able to play mainstream sports at some stage once their skills sets and knowledge develops in relation to a variety of sports.[/social_quote]
“This is only possible with the generous support of the Mazda Foundation and the knowledge of The Disability Trust in delivering these types of programs,” he said.
This program has been running successfully in the Illawarra for the past 10 years with the support of BlueScope Win Community Partners funding – and with the support of Mazda Foundation The Disability Trust has been successful in bringing it to the Macarthur region.
Any primary school wanting more information or to join the Mazda Foundation Sports Ready program can call The Disability Trust Sport & Recreation department on 4255 3100.
