Kate O’Donnell, Principal of GOAL College, has announced a partnership with Disability Sports Australia.
Disability Sports Australia (DSA) is one of Australia’s 9 National Sporting Organisations for people with disability, all of whom share a common purpose to improve the lives of Australians living with disability through sport.
GOAL College is a specialist senior high school for students who are passionate about sport. Students at GOAL gain Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications while they complete their HSC. They also gain experience working with experts and sporting ambassadors with high-level playing experience in select sports, including AFL, Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Football (Soccer), Hockey, Netball, Rugby League and Rugby Union.
As part of the HSC, students in GOAL sporting classes also complete coaching qualifications that allow them to deliver free sport sessions for primary school students.
A key objective of this partnership is to provide GOAL students with the opportunity to engage in meaningful and practical experiences. Students will have the opportunity to attend Sport NSW and Disability Sports Australia’s, Variety Activate Inclusion Sports Days and learn how to adapt sport delivery to be inclusive of all.
Kristy Rohrer, the National Program Manager of AISD from Disability Sports Australia stated ”Disability Sports Australia is delighted to partner with GOAL College. We believe this partnership will create a succession of young coaches who will have first-hand experience in adaption and inclusion in the sport and recreation sector, and be able to ensure all people living with disability have the opportunity to participate.”
“The partnership,” Kate says, “is a perfect complement to GOAL College’s focus on developing well-rounded, skilled and empathetic young adults. It will help us train the next generation of development officers with expertise in all-abilities sport delivery.”
Kate says, “Our graduates are already making a difference as sports administrators, athletes, coaches, volunteers and caring members of their local communities. When students graduate from GOAL College, they receive more than just their HSC. They also gain valuable post-secondary qualifications that set them apart from other graduates – they definitely have a sporting chance.”
