Inclusion in sport a winner for all

“Exercise is known to have a positive impact on brain chemistry, resulting in positive mood benefits. Team based sporting programs can also enhance children’s social skills and opportunities for making friends, which enhances self-esteem." - Dr Tess Crawley, Clinical & Forensic Psychologist.

Opportunities in sport are vital for all children, but especially for any child who may be otherwise limited in their access to such opportunities.

Over the past six weeks, Lend a hand to Hugo have delivered their inaugural All Abilities AFL Auskick program. With a family travelling over two hundred kilometres from Launceston every weekend, and others spread across Hobart and Southern Tasmania, the program has seen 27 participants learn the fundamental skills of Australian Rules Football (AFL), advance their communication, improve their relationship building and provided a great source of sporting inclusion.

Lend a hand to Hugo’s All Abilities sporting programs are designed for children between the ages of 5-14 with a disability or accessibility challenge. Drills and activities are tailored to meet the needs of the participants, however, Lend a hand to Hugo Founder Luke Williams says it’s just a typical sporting program.

“Our program isn’t too dissimilar to a typical mainstream program. We’ve got balls, cones, goal posts, whistles and more. The main modifications come when we talk about inclusion. It’s easy for the parents to come to a program like ours, because there is absolutely no judgement - they get it.”

Williams says the main goal of Lend a hand to Hugo's sporting programs are to provide an introduction to the sport, and then advance their participants into mainstream clubs. The charities' volunteers have played a mammoth role in delivering the program.

“Our coordinators are also understanding of the challenges faced by some participants, therefore, they don't create unnecessary situations," Williams said.

Clinical Psychologist Dr Tess Crawley (whose business sponsors the program) says that not only does a program of this kind have positive mental health for the children, but the parents are also winners.

“Extracurricular activities can be a double-edged sword for parents, adding time pressure to already busy lives. However, many parents enjoy the opportunity to interact with other parents,” Dr Crawley said.

“Shared experiences can assist parents to feel validated and less isolated.”

The program has featured a strong support network from Lend a hand to Hugo’s volunteer team, including Dylan Pace, who was arguably Tasmania’s most valuable player in the 2018 AFL Inclusion Championships.

Williams says that having Pace along to the program has a positive impact in many ways.

“Having Dylan along to the program in somewhat of a mentor role has been fantastic for the kids, the parents and Dylan himself.”

“For the kids, Dylan has been a great person to look at for inspiration. For the parents, it’s fantastic to know that there is a pathway in sport for their children. And for Dylan, it’s amazing that he’s able to pass on his skills and attributes as a footballer, it’s also great for him to keep developing his social skills.”

Williams also added that with Dylan having represented his state in AFL and country in Basketball, it's important for the parents to understand that despite challenges early in life, there is a major pathway for their children to represent their state and also Australia in various sports.

Lend a hand to Hugo’s All Abilities AFL Auskick program concludes tomorrow morning, however, the charity will soon launch the second edition of their ‘All Abilities Cricket Blast’ program, which will run for six weeks during October and November.