All abilities, all possibility grants SPORT BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT TO encourage more local sports club and community organisations in supporting the increase of disability sport participation, the second round of Regional All Abilities Participation Grants were opened last month. State government grant funding of up to $25,000 is available in three categories: equipment and travel, strengthening the inclusion workforce, and disability-led programs and initiatives. It can also cover expenses for clubs creating their own all abilities sports programs and travel costs to attend competitions. Like many, the Regional All Abilities Participation Grants is part of the Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund, which has also helped resource many other local projects such as facility and ground upgrades at Moe’s Ted Summerton Reserve. GippSport Executive Officer, Dan Poynton revealed that there are many Latrobe Valley sports clubs that have already applied for grant funding to give those living with a disability an opportunity to stay active and enjoy themselves. “GippSport ourselves, we were successful with two applications in the first round,” he told the Express. “We have ordered 15 sport wheelchairs … so they will help us increase the availability of a whole range of different wheelchair programs for people that have different physical impairments. “The other program that we’ll be delivering with our grant funding is a multi-sport program that initially will be delivered in Leongatha and then will be rolled out to other LGA’s across Gippsland.” Several Latrobe Valley Soccer League clubs expressed interest in delivering all-abilities programs, with one coming from Traralgon Olympians that will be supported by GippSport with inclusive coaching training and shaping an inclusive environment. The Regional All Abilities Participation Grants will also support Gippsland Cricket League’s No Boundaries Cricket, which was re-established after it ceased following the pandemic. The program offers competitive and fun indoor social cricket with trained coaches on offer and no equipment needed for participants. Twin City Archers in Morwell was also successful in the first round of applications, offering blind archery programs with tactile equipment and other programs for those with intellectual impairments. GippSport looks forward to more sports clubs applying for funding to better improve sport participation and inclusion in the region. “Certainly from a GippSport perspective, we are just really keen to see as many clubs apply for this grant as possible,” Poynton said. “On average, about 20 per cent of the population identifies having some form of disability, so there’s a huge potential participation market out there for clubs. “If there’s any other clubs that are interested in applying, I’d encourage them to get in touch with us.” GippSport are on hand to provide disability awareness training and help volunteers create an inclusive environment, with inclusion coaches available through GippSport delivering the Sport For All Program. That program is run through the Dylan Alcott Foundation. The former wheelchair tennis star visited Traralgon last month. While engagement from locals with these all abilities programs has improved over recent years, like many things, the pandemic caused a great setback. But GippSport are still there to provide support when clubs again want to dive into this space. “Our colleagues can go sit with the club committee and over a period of time, work through the modules, help the club develop an action plan and then support the implementation of it,” Poynton explained. “This grant can help potentially seed fund the activation of any of the ideas that the club can come up with.” The Regional All Abilities Participation Grants close on November 19. To apply and for more information, visit: http://sport.vic.gov.au/funding  

LV Express: All abilities, all possibility grants #Sport #CommonwealthGamesLegacyFund #DylanAlcott

Alcott inspires in Traralgon TENNIS BY BLAKE METCALF-HOLT   IT’S not every day a 23-time grand slam winner ventures into the region. Traralgon Tennis Association hosted Australian sporting legend, Dylan Alcott for a fun and wholesome meet-and-greet last week, giving locals the chance to mingle with the charismatic retired athlete. More than 100 people gathered at the Traralgon tennis show courts to hear from the former wheelchair tennis and basketball player, talking about his career on the global stage and those he’s crossed paths with along the way. It also gave Alcott the opportunity to converse with and encourage those from within the local disability community that were in attendance. Alcott, who is the only man to achieve the grand slam (winning all four major championships) in quad singles, addressed the crowd and detailed signature moments during his time on the tennis court. He also talked about meeting Queen Elizabeth after being named Australian of the Year in 2022, and how he got to be in the room with two of the biggest tennis stars in the world during a pivotal moment. After winning Wimbledon for the first time in 2019, Alcott divulged sitting back in the locker rooms, with trophy in hand, while Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal prepared for their semi-final matchup, which Federer ended up winning and advancing to the final in an epic five sets. Alcott would later praise the local tennis complex for its accessibility and its rich history from the Traralgon Junior International, where Federer famously won as a 16-year-old before his professional career blossomed. Champion: Australian sporting legend Dylan Alcott speaking at the Traralgon Tennis Association last week. Photographs: Blake Metcalf-Holt Alcott also took time to remind the young people listening, specifically those with a disability, that they are valued and must embrace everything they are. “When I was a young person with disability, I use to hate myself. I was really embarrassed with my disability and bullied about it, and society told me disability was a bad thing, so I believed that, but it’s actually not,” he told the Express afterwards. “It’s a natural part of life, it’s a beautiful thing. I didn’t have anyone on TV with disability, I didn’t know anyone with disability, so to be able to get out there and meet young people with disability and just tell them to be themselves … and follow whatever passion they want to do, and if there’s one person who doesn’t support them, there are a thousand of other people who will. “Disability or not, I’d just tell anyone to be proud of who they are. We all want to be different in life with different clothes, hairstyles, cars, whatever, yet when we have a big difference we all think it’s a negative thing and shy away from it. “Be proud of that. Be proud of your disability if you have one. “There are so many opportunities out there for you to do things and you know that I’ve got your back to keep fighting so (that) you get those opportunities that you deserve.” The heartfelt message was also capped by Alcott, highlighting how inclusive of a community Latrobe Valley has – a place he’s visited since his youth. “I started playing basketball when I was 14, 15 (years old), and we had a basketball tournament in Traralgon every year, wheelchair basketball, so I’ve got fond memories down here,” he said. Despite all the trophies and medals he’s won (a three-time Paralympic gold medallist), Alcott was ever gracious with his time and offered an experience that will be cherished by many forever.

LV Express: Alcott inspires in Traralgon #Sport #DylanAlcott #QueenElizabeth

#DylanAlcott, who was this week named Australian of the year, lost his quad singles final 7-5, 6-0 to Sam Schröder .. in his last tennis match before...

Alcott eyes history after second Wimbledon title Closes in on extraordinary achievement

Bloody brilliant.
#DylanAlcott wins second Wimbledon title, keeps alive chances of 'Golden Slam'
#Wimbledon2021
wwos.nine.com.au/tennis/dylan-alcott-wins...