THE Tamworth sports dome was abuzz with activity for Sunnyfield’s disability sports day.
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More than 100 clients from as far afield as Moree and Inverell came together to show off their sporting chops and make a few new mates a long the way.
Sunnyfield regional manager Ada Maughan said the day is about promoting healthy and active lifestyle.
With the Festival of Abilities coming up and the Wheels and Walkers group off and rolling, there’s a great sense of inclusion in the region, but Ms Maughan said funding was a constant challenge.
“It’s about finding ways to do it and finding supporters for programs that make these sorts of days possible,” she said.
Ms Maughan said the transition period for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was now complete in the region and some clients were seeing the benefits now.
“Like any new scheme, there’s been lots of things learnt along the way,” she said.
Newcastle Permanent awarded a $30,000 grant to Sunnyfield to keep it sports programs going through the year.
Peel High School had dozens of students on hand volunteering.
Careers adviser Helen Herdegen said students who take part have often showed interest working in the disability sector later on.
“A lot of students that have come here before have expressed an interest in it after taking part in this event,” Mrs Herdegen told The Leader.
“It’s just pretty much community service.”
Peel High has been involved with the sports day for a number of years and Mrs Herdegen said it’s a sought-after experience among students.
“We put it out to the whole cohort of Year 10 and these students actively want to do it,” she said.
“Now it’s just old students talking about how awesome it is and these students don’t want to miss out.
“It’s different to the normal school day, so it just gives them different experiences in different areas.”