By XAVIER SMERDON
DISABLED people will find it harder to be involved in their favourite sports thanks to a shift in State Government funding, a Werribee disability worker has said.
Wayne Slattery has worked out of the YMCA located at the Werribee Sports and Recreation Centre as an Access All Abilities officer for the last 18 months.
In his role he has helped hundreds of disabled people get involved in a sport of their choosing.
But Mr Slattery said funding for the Access All Abilities (AAA) program had now been given directly to sporting organisations, meaning many people will miss out.
“I’ve been told that it’s because of a change of direction,” Mr Slattery said.
‘Instead of paying AAA officers they will be using the money to fund disability officers within different sports.
“I’ve got my doubts. A lot of small sports won’t have the ability to fund their own disability officer.”
Mr Slattery said he was clearing his desk for the end of the financial year and he feared for the future of some of his clients.
“I’m disappointed more for the clients,” he said.
“Quite a few of them will miss out.
“I think ultimately access for disabled people in sport will just slowly dwindle away.
“I can’t see that the State Government is going to get value for money with the new system.”
But Sports Minister, Hugh Delahunty, said funding had simply been redirected to state sporting organisations.
“From the outset my key objective has always been to increase participation, of all Victorians, in sport and active recreation,” Mr Delahunty said.
“Our investment reflects the Coalition Government’s commitment to make sport accessible and inclusive for all, regardless of ability, from the grassroots to the elite level.”
