Activate Inclusion Sports Day - Darwin #2 of 2022

On the 31st of August, we had the pleasure of hosting an Activate Inclusion Sports Day at CDU Stadium in Darwin. Being the second one for 2022 it was lovely seeing a lot of returning faces with more confidence to make the most of the activities on offer. We were lucky enough to have four returning sports (Golf Australia, Touch Football NT, NRL NT – NRL Wheelchair, Topend Zumba Crew) who were able to take their activities further this time around with many of the participants seeming more comfortable from the prior exposure to these activities.  We also had Netball NT join the party to showcase the flexible and adaptive nature of their sport, which no doubt spiked a lot of interest for next time.  

It is fantastic to watch our Northern Territory Peak Sporting Bodies and local organisations come together for the benefit of students with physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities. The aim of Activation Inclusion Sports Days is to provide a welcoming environment for participants to engage positively in sport and recreational activities, and hopefully increase their self-efficacy to go and get active outside of school settings.  

We were spoilt with NT Government staff from the Sport, Recreation and Strategic Infrastructure department coming down to volunteer. They even saved the day, sourcing a BBQ from Athletics NT so that Total Recreation could put on their usual crowd stopping sausage sizzle. Having extra help on the day meant that we could place our SEDA students with the different sports to assist with activity delivery, and in turn prove a worthwhile learning experience for them.  

Activate Inclusion Sports Days are such an incredible initiate, as they provide a template for so much growth. Not only for the participants, but for the support staff, sports coaches and volunteers involved on the day too.

Disability Sports Northern Territory wishes to acknowledge the NT Government, Variety NT, Total Recreation and NDSP for sponsoring opportunities like these.   

We are hitting the road in October and bringing the Activate Inclusion Sports Day program to Katherine and Alice Springs, as part of our Roadshows which will see Disability Sports NT engage in both regional and remote communities.