Paralympian Ellie Cole champions Inclusivity in Hervey Bay

Paralympian Ellie Cole will be in Hervey Bay next month to promote inclusivity in sport as part of the first Fraser Coast All-Inclusive Sports Festival.

Fraser Coast Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott said Ellie Cole would be coming to Hervey Bay on Tuesday, July 9 to talk to clubs and residents on how to better include people with disability in mainstream sports and enhance the skills of our local sporting groups.

“We're delighted to welcome such an esteemed speaker for an inspiring evening filled with her remarkable journey, insights, and empowering messages," he said.

“Having had her leg amputated when she was just three years old due to cancer, Ellie understands firsthand the challenges that people with disability encounter, and we eagerly await her suggestions for making sports more inclusive in our region.”

Cr John Weiland said being inclusive in sport wasn’t just about installing ramps, it was also about adopting inclusive programmes, better training for volunteers and providing adaptive equipment.

The sports festival will also include a ‘Day on the Field Pt2’ which will now be on Friday, September 20 where sporting clubs will showcase their activities, giving participants the opportunity to try out different sports and speak directly with club representatives.

“This festival offers a hands-on experience and fosters collaboration among local schools, sports clubs and organisations, united by a shared enthusiasm for inclusive sports.” Cr Weiland said.

“The All-Inclusive Sports Festival is a new initiative, with Council partnering with APM Communities to deliver a series of events.

“APM is the ideal partner for this festival due to their expertise in disability services. They provide valuable resources and information on inclusive sports and have sporting professionals who can share insights.”

Don’t miss these events:

Tuesday, July 9 – Guest Speaker – Paralympian Ellie Cole.  FREE Event.

Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, 22 Charles Street, Pialba. From 6pm – 9pm.  Nibbles, tea and coffee provided. 

Friday, September 20 (Revised Date) – A Day on the Field Pt2 - Showcasing local clubs.  FREE Event.

Hervey Bay Sports Club, 133 Tavistock Street, Torquay.  From 9am – 1pm.  The canteen will be open for refreshments. 

You can register for both of these events here:  https://bit.ly/InclusiveSportsFestival.