By ALESHA CAPONE
THE St Albans Sports Club has been recognised for its work with people who have a disability.
The club has won the Community Partnership Award from Scope, a not-for-profit organisation which provides disability services in Victoria.
The sporting club’s CEO John French accepted the award.
“The St Albans Sports Club was one of three businesses that were nominated for this award,” Mr French said.
“It was a great surprise and honour with the sports club’s name was called out as the winner.”
Volunteers Nick Brown, Dave Nicol and Ian Mackenzie from the St Albans Sports Club’s football and cricket groups provide weekly support for Scope’s sports programs.
They assist with operating Balloon Football in the winter and Modified Cricket in the summer on Mondays, in conjunction with Scope at Keilor Basketball Stadium.
Scope’s Balloon Football matches follow AFL rules and are played on an indoor basketball court with participants using either electric or manual wheelchairs.
“This year the St Albans Sports Club donated medallions and trophies to the final teams in Balloon Football,” Mr French said.
“All of the winners were so thrilled and excited to have received something for their efforts.”
“The St Albans Sports Club is all about supporting and helping the local community, ie giving free bus services for local schools who don’t have their own bus, free usage of our sporting facilities and support with the club staff,” Mr French said.
Mr Mackenzie said though offering these sorts of opportunities, the club hoped more people with disabilities would want to get involved.
“We are working towards creating an opportunity for people with disabilities to play cricket at Kings Park Reserve on a weekly or fortnightly basis so they can experience the game of cricket, with modified rules, in an open air environment,” he said.
