Hawthorn FC delivers sensory space for Cazalys Stadium in Cairns
Hawthorn FC delivered game-day sensory spaces staffed by occupational therapists at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns during last month’s AFLW match against the Narrm Demons.
In a Queensland-first for AFL’s Hawthorn ‘Hawks’ Football Club, the sensory space accommodated 20 Queenslanders with different sensory processing abilities and attention deficits.
Hawthorn FC General Manager of Community, Diversity and Inclusion, Adam Moedt, says their first Queensland sensory space was a tremendous success.
Moedt noted “it was the best sensory space we’ve ever had! It had a good view of the football ground. Sometimes they can be tucked away, but this one was in the forward pocket. It had great frontage of the ground, good accessibility and it was a really good opportunity for people to be part of the space.”
A local occupational therapist was employed by the Hawthorn Football Club to run the sensory space, helping develop individual gameplans for fans to best enjoy the match.
Moedt added “about 70% of the people who used the sensory space were overwhelmed with the live atmosphere, so we had headphones and darker areas to help them escape the noise. Then about 30% of fans who used the space were under stimulated and struggling to sit still for a long time, so we had fidget toys to help them burn off some energy.
“Some of the feedback we’ve received from fans is how difficult it can be to book appointments with OTs before games to help them plan how to manage their sensory needs. So having an OT in the sensory space during matches has been a real gamechanger for our fans.”.
Game day sensory spaces are just one part of the Hawthorn FC’s broader Inclusive Project, helping more AFL fans enjoy the sport.
Moedt says their club hopes to host more sensory spaces at matches in the future and enthused “the feedback we have had has been amazing. Incredibly positive!”
More information on Hawthorn Football Club’s broader Inclusive Project
Image. Headphones and fidget toys among sensory space offerings at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns. Credit: Hawthorn FC
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