Brisbane primary school's bid to boost boccia and inclusion for students with a disability

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Students with a disability say there are limited opportunities for them to compete in sports. But one primary school in Queensland is hoping to change that with about 200 students - with and without disability - taking on a paralympic game.

Transcript

00:00 It's a game of strategy and precision.

00:08 The Paralympic sport boccia is also bringing out the competitive side these Brisbane Primary

00:14 School students.

00:15 I think our team often wins.

00:18 Getting to learn more new strategies.

00:20 Just I like the fact that everyone is able to play.

00:24 No matter if you're short, tall, you have a walking stick or you're in a wheelchair,

00:30 you can all play.

00:31 Schools across Queensland compete almost weekly in inter-school sport tournaments.

00:37 But options for students with a disability are limited.

00:40 We've got rugby, we've got basketball, we've got tennis or whatever other sport.

00:45 And then it's like if you're not doing that sport, you can sit in this classroom.

00:49 National boccia champion Sam Thorne is hoping to change that.

00:53 Mostly just going out there to give an introduction to the sport.

00:57 And that's been really enriching for the students and the staff alike.

01:02 It's been a massive hit at MacGregor State School.

01:05 It's now looking for others to join.

01:08 We're looking at a proposal to hopefully lift the profile of boccia and take it from an

01:12 intra-school sport up to an inter-school sport.

01:15 Education Queensland says it's up to the schools and their districts to provide inclusive offerings

01:20 for all students.

01:21 If successful, the school hopes it can inspire future Paralympians.

01:29 Most kids' dreams start when they're at school, so it's got to start somewhere.

01:32 I'm a boccia.

01:34 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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