Whitehorse News - April 2024
From Cr Denise Massoud

This month, I visited the Blackburn Tennis Club to meet some of the players who attend group lessons run by coach Andrew Caldwell.

This team includes players from Burke and Beyond, a registered disability provider that seeks out opportunities for members of our community with intellectual disabilities to improve their wellbeing through fitness and other ways. 

Thanks to a grant from Tennis Victoria, the lessons have been running for almost a year, and Andrew hopes to continue the program into the future.

Blackburn Tennis Club isn’t the only club in Whitehorse that supports greater inclusivity for our community members to get involved in sport.

We are incredibly lucky to have the Blackburn Football Club, which now has two women’s teams operating that include players who are Deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Although it’s been a learning experience, Felicity Langton, a player since 2018, told me a great moment of connection for the players was to learn the club song in sign language and also to be given nicknames in sign language, which helps everyone communicate quickly and easily on and off the field. During the matches, umpires also use sign language to communicate decisions.

Another club demonstrating a commitment to greater inclusivity is Nunawading Basketball. It has partnered with Special Olympics Australia and members of its Eastern Ranges branch play on Nunawading’s courts every week, as well as being part of an annual tournament.

CEO Mark Hallett is continuing to look for more opportunities to provide players with a disability a chance to play on their courts. Mark tells me to watch this space!