NSW public school cross country introduces autism category

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Students with autism don't often get the chance to compete side-by-side with their peers. A statewide cross-country competition is hoping to change that, by introducing a new classification to level the playing field.

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00:02Going head-to-head with others just like them.

00:05On your marks!

00:07A group of students at this year's New South Wales Public School Cross Country

00:11is the first to compete in a dedicated autism classification.

00:15Being able to run with, I guess, people like me, I guess,

00:19it's just a lot better.

00:21While they are motivated by a range of factors...

00:25It just clears my mind.

00:26Because, like, that's medals, weapons and stuff.

00:31My mum, she made me.

00:33They're all getting the chance to run at a state level.

00:35It's probably been the best thing for them.

00:37It pushes them and it gives them a chance to compete

00:39as a normal athletics with the mainstream kids

00:42and feel like they're wanted.

00:43It's the result of a push from organisers

00:46who saw the need for a separate category.

00:48We have seen lots of numbers, which is fantastic.

00:52We've had lots of emails, lots of phone calls from schools and families

00:56trying to help and assist in that process.

01:00And the benefits for students extend beyond running.

01:03Having to mix with different people,

01:05it just builds his confidence and ability just in life in general.

01:10There are 56 students competing in this year's autism classification

01:14across both primary and secondary.

01:16They run alongside students registered in all impairment types

01:20but are timed separately.

01:22Their time that they run out at the cross-country course today

01:25gets compared to a baseline and turned into a percentage

01:29and then ultimately the students, the athletes,

01:32are placed on their percentage.

01:34Silver medalist Deegan Buchanan is hoping to go professional.

01:37Hopefully one day I can make it but I don't want to get too far ahead of myself.

01:42He's certainly on the right track.

01:44I'm not sure what's going to be the other track.

01:47You're not going to get too far ahead of me.

01:48You've got to be the other track and as I am going to continue to do,

01:48you've got to be the other track.

01:49I've got to be the other track.

01:49I think they've got to be the other track,

01:50where I was more than I'm going to be.

01:50There are some of the track and all the track.

01:51After all, go for two.

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