The City of Joondalup has partnered with Inclusion WA to build a more inclusive and welcoming sporting culture for residents.
The Community Connect Sport and Recreation Program – funded through a Disability Services Commission Count Me In grant – aims to train, mentor and empower local sport and recreation clubs to be more inclusive of community members of all cultural backgrounds and abilities.
The City found that most community clubs and groups genuinely want to include people from all walks of life and ability levels, but require some assistance to make inclusion a part of their core club culture.
A working group comprised of the City’s Community and Club Development Officers, Inclusion WA staff, residents and local community groups, has been formed and will direct the delivery of the program.
The Community Connect Sport and Recreation Program was formally launched with community training sessions in August, which will be followed by a three-month club mentoring period.
Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said the program would ensure that participating clubs gained the skills and capacity to be inclusive of all people, and also increase membership and volunteerism.
“This program is a genuine way to encourage an inclusion culture in sport and recreation clubs and the City and Inclusion WA are excited about the positive change we anticipate will result from its implementation.”
In October, the initiative will coincide with the Joondalup Welcome Day at Edith Cowan University, enabling community members to meet clubs and recreation group representatives, while providing clubs and groups an opportunity to promote their services to the
wider community.
