03 Dec 2008

The Minister for Youth and Sport, the Hon. Kate Ellis MP, recently visited the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) to celebrate International Day of People with Disability joined by Australian Sports Commission Chairman Greg Hartung (OAM), Paralympian Deahnne McIntyre (OAM) and Olympian Adam Pine (OAM).

International Day of People with Disability is celebrated worldwide recognising the achievements and contributions of people with a disability.

This important day coincided with the Pacific School Games being held at the AIS and included many athletes with disabilities who are among 5000 participants from 20 countries competing.

Minister Ellis said it was wonderful to see young athletes at the Pacific School Games celebrating the International Day of People with a Disability and embracing the spirit that sport is for everyone.

‘The Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission, is working with community providers to ensure sport is offered to athletes with a disability at Sports Ability hubs throughout Australia as well as through the Commission’s successful Active After-school Communities program,’ Minister Ellis said.

‘This year we have seen the inspiring performances of our Paralympians who did Australia proud in Beijing.

‘We want to ensure that people with disability have the chance to participate in sport, whether through their local school or club or at the elite level, aspiring to be Australia’s next Paralympian.’

The Australian Government is also a proud supporter of people with an intellectual disability by supporting Special Olympics Australia and the Australian Sport and Recreation Association for Persons with Integration Difficulties.

Ms Ellis praised the Pacific School Games for providing excellent sporting opportunities for young athletes with a disability and for emulating the essence of International Day of People with Disability.

‘The Pacific School Games promotes the values of inclusion, fair play, cooperation and respect, allowing the athletes - of all abilities - to feel included and welcome at these Games,’ said Ms Ellis.

Ms McIntyre paid tribute to the Pacific School Games for helping her along the way to becoming a Paralympian saying, ‘Competing in the 1984 Pacific School Games was my first time competing with able-bodied athletes and my second big competition representing the ACT’.

‘It was an honour to be in a team with other athletes who had the same ambitions I had.’