By Casey Neill
Young people of all abilities and ages gave different sports a go at the 10th All Abilities Sports Fun Day in Springvale.
The Sandown Cobras All Abilities Club hosted about 250 people at Edinburgh Reserve on Tuesday 25 July.
Just a few days earlier, the club took home the All Abilities Award at the Greater Dandenong Council Sports Awards for creating an environment that welcomed all children to play team sports.
“This event shows how easy it is to get involved in community life, make connections and have some fun, all while being more physically active,” Greater Dandenong Mayor Jim Memeti said.
“The Cobras established an all-abilities football team several years ago and more recently started an all-abilities AusKick group and winter basketball team.”
He said the club was giving children and young people every opportunity to discover sports.
“Today is about trying something new, so I hope you all have lots of fun trying all the different sports on offer,” he said.
Sports on show included basketball, tennis, table tennis, lawn bowls, cricket, gymnastics and soccer.
Sandown Cobras president Lew Short said the idea for the fun day grew from its senior football team for adults of different abilities.
“We had the idea of doing something for kids with disabilities,” he said.
“It’s built up to a magnificent level.
“Everybody gets a chance and it just grows.”
He said participants travelled from across the region, including from Mornington.
“We invited everybody that wants to come along,” Mr Short said.
“They don’t have a lot of opportunities for days like these.
“It makes me proud that we’ve started this.”
