Xavier College’s Year 12 VET Sport and Recreation students recently took part in an inclusive sport session delivered in partnership with the Freedom Sports Foundation.
The session gave students the opportunity to participate in wheelchair basketball and AFL, helping them develop a deeper understanding of inclusion, accessibility and the importance of adapting sport so that everyone can take part.
Freedom Sports Foundation is a not-for-profit and registered charity dedicated to fostering inclusion and empowering people with disability to engage in sport. Through programs such as Wheelchair AFL coaching, disability awareness sessions and community engagement activities, the Foundation works to break down barriers and create more inclusive sporting environments.
For Xavier students, the experience offered valuable insight into the role sport and recreation professionals can play in building connected, accessible and welcoming communities. It also highlighted how thoughtful program design, awareness and empathy can ensure people of all abilities have the opportunity to enjoy the teamwork, confidence and sense of belonging that sport can provide.
The session was a meaningful learning opportunity for the VET Sport and Recreation class, reinforcing the importance of inclusion in sport and the positive impact recreation can have when it is designed for all.
