Over 280 students from 14 Illawarra schools attended The Disability Trusts Sports Ready Gala Day at Beaton Park on the 7th September. The event has been held in support of children with disabilities for 14 years. With assistance from BlueScope/WIN Community Partners it enables The Disability Trust to run the program for local primary school support units.
As a part of the initiative the Trust’s Sport and Rec team run the Group Day annually so many schools can come together so the children can take part in a range of sporting activities. The 2018 Sports Ready Gala Day was the biggest one to date. Disability Trust Sports Ready teacher Megan Barnes says there were many benefits for the children with disabilities who take part in the program. “They come together and practice, show off their skills and make new friends. The social inclusion is a key factor in the growth of the day. It is a great social event and we really do provide fun for everyone”.
The Disability Trust’s Sport and Rec manager Michael Norris said also supporting the Sports Ready Group Day were the Illawarra Hawks, St George-Illawarra Dragons, Football South Coast and The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS).
“Because of their generous donations each year we get to put on days like this and go out to schools and run programs such as this,” Mr Norris said.
The 280 children with disabilities who took part came from throughout the Illawarra as well as Miranda and Campbelltown.
