Willing and able to have a go

Local sporting organisations have joined forces to host the 2012 Lord Taverners disability multi-sports day to encourage children living with a disability to get involved in sport.

Approximately 280 students from around the ACT participated in the multi-sports day held at the MPowerdome in Fadden last Wednesday.

Students received a taste of a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, netball and cricket, and were able to mix with children from other schools.

Cricket ACT, in partnership with ACT Sport, has run the event for eight years.

ACT Sports president Jim Roberts said the day was used to promote physical activity and encourage participation to students living with a disability.

''Today will show the kids how sport can enrich lives,'' Roberts said.

The event helped launch the Lord Taverners' young athletes with a disability scholarship program to help athletes to reach their sporting goals. Canberra can boast a variety of programs to help children with a disability who show skill or interest in sport.

Capital Football manager Pat McCann put together an ''all ability'' soccer program called Football Connect to help guide disabled athletes into mainstream sport. Through this development sport clubs have been able to work together and build a relationship with the disabled community.

ACT Sports Minister Andrew Barr said Canberra was an active community in sport and it was through events like the Lord Taverners disability multi-sports day that we lifted active participation levels .

''[We] Target programs at those who are not necessarily able to access sports programs or feel like they're excluded and there aren't opportunities for them to participate,'' Barr said.

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