Please note: Images in this article were taken before current COVID-19 safety measures were in place.
WATCH THE VIDEO: Connecting, being active and making friends were a few good reasons people attended the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Festival at Southbank on Monday 3 December.
Each year the festival, supported by the Victorian Government, offers Victorians with and without disability the opportunity to explore accessible and inclusive sport and recreation through activities and information sharing. Featuring over 30 exhibitors and three activity zones, several sport and recreation organisations offered the chance to experience and learn about inclusive sport and recreational activities.
Teams battled it out in the AFL Wheelchair Corporate Challenge, with Brendan Shroud – Captain of the Collingwood Magpies wheelchair football team – on hand to pass on some top tips to players of all abilities.
There was also a chance to meet Paralympians including rugby player Jason Lees and athlete Maria Strong, as well asinteract with giant wheelchair puppets and watch and listen to the Vision Australia Radio broadcast.
One of the day’s highlights was the Law Enforcement Torch Run, with up to 200 police and Special Olympics Athletes running from the Victoria Police Centre with the Flame of Hope to light the cauldron at the festival.
Torch run organiser Detective Inspector Matt Volk, said for several years now Law Enforcement Torch Run Victoria has been celebrating International Day of People with a Disability by doing a police-centre based torch run.
“So what you’re seeing today is about 80 police employees and about 20 athletes with various Special Olympics Clubs around Victoria come together, we’re carrying the flame of hope and we’ve delivered it here to the festival, which has been fantastic,” he said.
For more information about the day visit the Disability Sport & Recreation website.
