Thanks to the support of DLGSC’s Inclusive Participation Grant funding, which has allowed Volleyball WA to develop and expand our Adaptive Volley program, there are now more opportunities for people with disability to participate in volleyball and belong to their clubs and communities than ever before!
International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD) is recognised globally on December 3rd each year, with many local events and activities showcasing a range of programs available to people with disability. Volleyball WA was proud to collaborate with various partner organisations over the past week, delivering volleyball and sitting volleyball clinics in celebration of IDPWD.
On November 29th, VWA staff attended Chisholm Catholic College in Bedford, introducing sitting volleyball to more than 40 mainstream students as part of their para-sport day. It was fantastic to see students, most of whom without a disability, participate in sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, delivered by our partner organisation Rebound WA. The event highlighted that para-sports are a lot of fun, and hard work, and are welcome to participants with and without disability!
On November 4th, we collaborated with East Metropolitan Health Service and Royal Perth Bentley Group, introducing sitting volleyball to staff and patients across facilities in Bentley and St James. In a (potential) world first, these sitting volleyball clinics were held outdoors, using a tarpaulin with taped sitting volleyball court lines, providing another example of volleyball’s adaptability!
To conclude an extremely busy week for the Adaptive Volley program, we were thankful to be invited by the City of Mandurah to attend the Billy Dower Youth Centre. It was amazing to see almost all the young people in attendance, many of whom were from low sport participation groups, playing volleyball and developing their teamwork skills with their peers.
Adaptive Volleyball inclusion programs for 2024 have now concluded, and our Perth Social Sitting Volleyball League is down to the final two weeks. However, now is a great time to enquire about the program and find out how you or someone you support can get involved in volleyball and its various modified forms from 2025! Head to the Adaptive Volley webpage or email inclusion@volleyballwa.com.au to learn more.
