Tasmanian children living with disability are getting their first taste of sport through a program designed to break down barriers to participation.
The Variety Kids Sports Days initiative held its latest event in Sorell on Monday, bringing together children, schools and sporting organisations from across the region.
More than 1,400 children have taken part in the free events since the program launched in 2022, with numbers growing each year.
Variety Tasmania CEO Mohammad Aldergham said the program is about making sure every child has the chance to feel included.
“Sport should be something every child can enjoy, but for many children living with disability there can still be barriers to participation,” he said.
“For some children, this is the first time they’ve had the chance to simply join in sport alongside their peers.”
“Variety Kids Sports Days are designed to break down those barriers and create spaces where children can simply join in, have fun and feel like they belong.”
The events are run in partnership with sporting organisations, schools and community groups.
Children have been able to try a range of accessible and adapted activities including athletics, badminton, table tennis and wheelchair basketball.
The days are set up to remove pressure and let children take part at their own pace.
Aldergham said the benefits go well beyond the events themselves.
“While the days are full of fun and laughter, the impact reaches far beyond the event,” he said.
“We regularly see children grow in confidence and discover new activities they genuinely enjoy.”
For some families, it’s the first time their child has been able to play sport in a space where they feel supported.
The program will run again in term three in September at locations across Tasmania, with details to be posted on the Variety Tasmania website.
Aldergham said with excitement building towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, there’s hope the program can spark something bigger.
“We hope programs like these will help inspire a future where children of all abilities can see themselves participating in sport at every level,” he said.
