By Olivia Condous
Specialist Hoops Basketball held its first all-abilities tournament on Sunday and the event was a fun-filled day for all.
After the official opening of Cobblebank stadium on Saturday, 60 basketballers filled the courts as six teams competed for a place in the finals.
Specialist Hoops executive director Emily Attard said the sportsmanship of the players was a highlight of the day.
“The atmosphere was amazing, just the way everyone participated and encouraged everyone, it was a whole day about fun,” Ms Attard said.
“We were lucky enough that our tournament coincided with Autism Awareness Day, which was on Saturday and we had our tournament on Sunday,” Ms Attard said.
The organisation was first created in 2017 as a one-day all-abilities basketball camp and has since grown to two locations, in Melton and Bacchus Marsh, with about 80 weekly participants.
Ms Attard said Specialist Hoops was all about creating accessible opportunities for people within the disability community.
“We’ve always said, ‘no one gets left behind’,”
Tournament participant and Bacchus Marsh resident David Jenkins said he was so proud of himself for achieving his first ever basketball medal.
“To top it off, I won my first ever basketball grand final,” Mr Jenkins said.
Ms Attard said the group planned to run another tournament next year and encouraged Melton and Moorabool residents to get involved.
“Get in contact with us and give it a go, because you never know, it might be something that you thoroughly enjoy or it might not be and that’s okay,” she said.
Specialist Hoops are also currently seeking adult volunteers to assist with their programs, to find out more visit www.specialisthoops.com/.
