Fair Play' means sport for everybody

29/03/06
The State Government today made a major advance towards making sport and recreation in Western Australia more inclusive of people with disabilities.
Sport and Recreation Minister John Kobelke and Disability Services Minister Margaret Quirk jointly released 'Fair Play - A Statewide Framework for Inclusive Sport and Recreation.'
Mr Kobelke said the framework set the pace for State and local governments, State sporting associations, sport and recreation clubs, fitness and recreation centres to better cater to the needs of people with disabilities.
"'Fair Play' is all about setting clear, achievable goals for providing sport and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities," he said.
"The framework's five priority areas of leadership, capacity building, partnerships, advocacy, awareness and promotion ensure providers are guided in how they can go about offering more inclusive sport and recreation opportunities. "
A 'Fair Play' booklet will be sent to all State sporting associations and local governments as part of the campaign.
Disability Services Minister Margaret Quirk said the integration of athletes with disabilities into the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games showed just how far things had come.
"The support from commentators and crowds for athletes with disabilities competing in the same sessions as able-bodied athletes was overwhelming," Ms Quirk said.
"This is a really important confirmation that the efforts and achievements of athletes is the same regardless of their so-called physical capabilities.
"We want to see the same integration in community-level sport.
"The Disability Services Commission and the Department of Sport and Recreation developed this framework to provide a collaborative, co-ordinated and targeted approach to inclusive sport and recreation.
"'Fair Play' should lead to higher levels of participation and much better social and health benefits for people with disabilities that come from being physically active and part of a sporting team.
"By working together, these organisations and businesses can ensure that it is possible for everyone to be an active member of the community."
Minister for Sport and Recreation's office: 9222 9211
Minister for Disability Service's office: 9213 7000