The Bundaberg Special Olympics basketball team will take to the court tomorrow night to shoot their shot in front of a home crowd as a curtain raiser for the CQBL game.
The match will take place at 5.15 pm at AutoBarn Arena with the community encouraged to attend and show their support for the players.
Early bird entry fee is $2 a person for any entry before 5.15 pm and then $5 for adults, $2 for high school children and free for primary school children or younger after.
There are currently 18 registered athletes in the Special Olympics Bundaberg Basketball team, aged between 16 and 40 years old, although players can start from the age of seven years old.
Bundaberg Basketball secretary Katrina Ashmore said the Special Olympics was a fantastic initiative which provided those with an intellectual disability the opportunity to participate in sports.
“The Special Olympics is a part of a global inclusion movement using health, education and leadership programs every day around the world to end discrimination and empower people with intellectual disabilities,” Katrina said.
“The players compete at several carnivals throughout the year and then can compete in a state championships carnival.
“They play against other regions in Queensland such as Morton North, Sunshine Coast, Gladstone, Brisbane, Gympie, Gold Coast, Mackay and Redlands.
“They are placed in categories A B C and are teamed up with other athletes in the same category from other regions.”
Special Olympics basketball team success
The players recently travelled to the Sunshine Coast to compete, coming away with some fantastic results.
“This year in April we competed in a carnival at Maroochydore,” Katrina said.
“It was a great event with amazing results and every player competed strongly and had a number of wins.
“Two players have been selected to represent Queensland in Launceston in October.”
She said Bundaberg Basketball was excited to be part of the journey of the athletes and was proud to provide them the opportunity to participate in sport.
“Our mission is to provide a community sport driven by inclusion and community involvement,” Katrina said.
“It is great to be able to empower people with intellectual disabilities, to make ability visible.”
You can find out more about Bundaberg Basketball here.
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