Sports - Get Involved
Young people, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, enjoy their sporting experiences in the same way. There are physical, mental and emotional benefits for children with disability who participate in physical activity. These include but are not limited to, promotion of fitness, increased self-esteem and a great confidence boost.
Kidsport
KidSport enables Western Australian children to participate in community sport and recreation, no matter their financial circumstances. Eligible youth aged 5–18 years can apply for financial assistance to contribute towards club fees. The fees will go directly to the registered KidSport clubs through their participating local government. Information for Parents and Carers is available by clicking here.
Disability - Junior Sports
The following extract has been taken from one of nine guidelines outlined in the Junior Sport Framework (JSF) developed by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC). The information in this booklet has been reproduced with the permission of the ASC. Guideline 2.
Sport providers have a responsibility to create opportunities for all young people, including young people with a disability. This means providing a range of opportunities that:
- require no adaptation and are fully inclusive of young people with a disability;
- require some adaptation to include young people with a disability; and
- are only for young people with a disability.
Providing these opportunities for young people with a disability often means making adjustments to programs and services.
Disability sport organisations also provide opportunities for young people with specific disabilities. These allow:
- opportunities for specialisation in specific events;
- tailored coaching for specific needs; and
- pathways for elite sporting experiences.
Strategies
- Provide opportunities in your sport for young people with disabilities.
- Educate and support parents/carers in encouraging and assisting their young people with disabilities to participate in sport.
- Educate sport providers to help them include young people with disabilities into programs and services (e.g. provide welcoming environments).
- Provide assistance to schools in catering for young people with disabilities.
- Make your facilities and services accessible for young people with disabilities.