More than 150 students come together for Launceston’s biggest All Abilities Sports Day
A day of sport, inclusion and belonging for students across Northern Tasmania
More than 150 students from 12 primary schools across Northern Tasmania came together in July for what is believed to be the largest All Abilities Sports Day ever held in Launceston.
Hosted at The Hub in Mowbray, the event was designed to create opportunities for students with disability to experience a range of sports in an environment where everyone could participate, have fun and feel included.
Delivered through a partnership between Sport4All Inclusion Coach Sarai Lawson and the Launceston State School Sport Association, the day brought together schools, sporting organisations and community partners with a shared goal of making sport more accessible for every child.
Creating opportunities to participate
For many children with disability, participating in traditional school sporting events can present barriers that make joining in more difficult.
The All Abilities Sports Day was created to change that by providing activities that encouraged students to explore new sports, build confidence and enjoy being active alongside their peers.
Students in Years 3 to 6 rotated through five different sports, including blind and low vision cricket, golf, T-ball, table tennis, boccia, football and AFL activities.
The day was made possible through the support of community organisations and sporting clubs including Innovative Inclusion Tasmania, Port Sorell Table Tennis Club, New Horizons Tasmania, the Tasmanian Institute of Sport, Football Tasmania, Riverside Olympic Football Club and AFL Tasmania, whose staff and volunteers generously donated their time and expertise.
Sport is where community begins
For Sport4All Inclusion Coach Sarai Lawson, the event reflected the important role community sport can play in helping people feel connected and included.
“Sport is where community starts for so many of us as Australians, and we want to make it more accessible wherever we can,” Sarai said.
She said the event welcomed students with a broad range of disabilities, including neurodivergent students as well as children with intellectual, physical, sensory and learning disabilities.
“These are the kids who might miss out on the usual sports afternoon. We are trying to make it so everyone feels comfortable in their body, whatever that looks like.”
The event also introduced many students to sports they may not have experienced before, opening pathways to continue participating in local clubs beyond the school environment.
A community effort
The success of the day reflected the commitment of schools, sporting organisations and volunteers working together to make inclusion a priority.
Special recognition goes to Summerdale Primary School, whose support through the Launceston State School Sport Association helped bring the event to life.
Mayor Matthew Garwood, representatives from the offices of Jess Teesdale MP and Senator Jacqui Lambie, and local media were also in attendance, highlighting the growing community support for more inclusive sporting opportunities across Northern Tasmania.
Following the event, Labor Member for Bass Jess Greene MP wrote to Sport4All to congratulate the team, recognising the success of the day and acknowledging the important role the program is playing in building a more inclusive community for children and young people across Tasmania.
Building on the momentum
While the smiles and laughter on the day told their own story, the impact extends well beyond a single event.
By bringing schools, sporting organisations and community leaders together, the All Abilities Sports Day demonstrated what is possible when inclusion is placed at the centre of community sport.
As Sport4All continues to grow across Tasmania, events like this are helping more children experience the benefits of participating in sport while giving clubs and schools greater confidence to create welcoming environments where everyone has the opportunity to belong.
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