Page 33 - AFL Queensland 2014 in Review

NATIONAL INCLUSION CARNIVAL
From June 19-22, the AFL conducted the inaugural Inclusion Carnival for players with an Intellectual disability. The event brought together players from around the country in a celebration of the game culminating with a half time demonstration at an AFL match.
The players involved enjoyed an environment that promoted fitness, fun, friendship and a rare sense of belonging. Importantly, their participation enhances life skills and develops self-esteem, confidence and improved health.
Queensland started by linking into Gold Coast Recreation and Sport programs, running AFL over a few weeks whilst promoting a new training program at Metricon stadium on Monday afternoons. A selected Gold Coast team played off against a Brisbane team, selected out of two testing days, to select the Queensland team to compete in the National Inclusion carnival in Victoria.
The two regional teams played off as a curtain-closer to a QAFL match between Broadbeach and the University of Queensland, wearing Broadbeach jumpers and SUNS jumpers supplied by the Gold Coast SUNS. The selected athletes then took part in a seven-week training program at the Ormeau Bulldogs every Sunday, w3ith a trial match against the Broadbeach Cats before the carnival.
The week-long carnival saw participants rake part in a special school visit to run clinics and talk to the students. The highlight was certainly the opportunity for the players to play at half-time in the North Melbourne v Melbourne match at the MCG.
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