IT staff moving into Sport

Children with an intellectual disability were given a chance to participate in sport at the recent 2011 State Cross Country Running Championships thanks to the Glenhuntly Athletic Club and volunteers from Monash University’s Faculty of Information Technology.

The event, which has been running since 1999, provides students from special schools all over Victoria with an opportunity to try athletics that they wouldn’t normally have.

Trevor Vincent of the Glenhuntly Athletic Club and coach of the Monash Running Squad said the event would not be the same without the volunteers from the Faculty.

“Staff from the Faculty have been involved in this event for two years now thanks to Monash Sport coordinating with us. Their participation in this event was once again invaluable, and greatly appreciated,” Mr Vincent said.

The cross country event, held at the Duncan Makinnon Reserve, provides access for students of all abilities to participate. With the highest numbers yet in 2011, the championships were attended by twenty special schools, with a record of 350 students participating.

 “These kids are amazing in the way that they are so easy to get along with and undemanding, they just love being involved. It’s very enjoyable to give them the opportunity to participate and try out sport,” Mr Vincent said.

“There has also been talent discovered through these championships, with one child going on to represent Australia in long jump at the IPC games in New Zealand earlier this year.”

Celebrities also made appearances at the Championship, with Beijing Olympians Sean Wroe and Kate Smyth presenting medals to the children, along with the Mayor of Glen Eira, Margaret Esakoff and Neil Pilling, also from the City of Glen Eira.

The Club also hosts another annual event for children with an intellectual disability earlier on in the year, which features a range of track and field events, for students at special schools in the South East region of Melbourne.