Noosa Council marks Inclusion Day by joining Sport4All program

International Inclusion Day is held on 10th October and to mark the day Noosa Council has become the first local government in Queensland to commit to the Sport4All program aimed at enhancing sport accessibility.

Noosa Council has partnered with Australian Paralympian Dylan Allcott’s Get Skilled Access to bring the Sport4All (S4A) Program to Noosa.

The Sport4All inclusive sports program exists to give people with disability the opportunity to participate in sport, at both a club and school level.

Mayor Frank Wilkie enthused “this World Inclusion Day we’re thrilled to become the first Council in Queensland to join the Sport4All program.”

The first step of the S4A program will see Council work with local clubs, coaches and schools in an audit and training on how to better include people with disabilities in mainstream sporting activities.

Four-time Paralympian and Queensland Northern Territory Sport4All Manager Blake Cochrane OAM said getting involved in community sport stood to positively impact the lives of people with disability.

“It has been great that Noosa Council has been the first local government in Queensland to make this vital commitment,” Cochrane shared..

Inclusion Coach Jamilla McCoy will drive the program within Council, working with local sports clubs to improve opportunities for people with a disability to participate in local sport.

McCoy added “National research shows that three out of four people with a disability want to participate in sport, but only one out of four currently do.

“The initial response from local sporting clubs has been great. These clubs are wanting to include people who live with disability in all aspects of their club and by engaging with the Sport4All program they are building their confidence and skills to create truly inclusive and accessible environments for all.”

Council is also working with Peregian Beach based company Cerge to provide online and app-based information about a destination's accessibility, so that individuals can make informed choices prior to attending.

A virtual tour and sensory guide plus other resources are now available for Noosa Leisure Centre and Council is working with the local company to include other Council facilities such as Noosa Aquatic Centre. Visit cerge.app/inclusivevenue/noosa-leisure-centre

Any Noosa schools and clubs interested in joining the Sport4All program can contact Jamilla McCoy via email - sport@noosa.qld.gov.au