After months of rigorous planning and development, Sports 4 All in collaboration with Basketball NSW is excited to host the final Gala Day at Blacktown Leisure Centre on Friday, May 10th. This event marks the successful completion of a groundbreaking pilot basketball program tailored for secondary school students with intellectual disabilities.

The program began with four secondary schools from the Blacktown City area—including Doonside Technical College, Chifley Bidwill, and Mt Druitt—embracing this initiative. The pilot’s success lays the groundwork for potential expansion across New South Wales, aiming to make the Gala Day a staple in the NSW school calendar.

Greg Brown, Founder of Sports 4 All, shared his enthusiasm: “Today is a landmark day that represents the culmination of a 12-week program dedicated to our students’ development. Seeing our vision turn into reality with the support of Basketball NSW and local communities has been nothing short of exhilarating.”

The Assist All Hoops program caters for people with an intellectual impairment. The pilot, which began in November 2023, led to the development of new structured basketball sessions employing a traffic light system to aid coaching strategies in the intellectual impairment sector.

“From the early stages of our program back in February to this final celebration, the journey has been incredible. The feedback from the participating schools has been overwhelmingly positive.” stated Steven Wright, Sports 4 All Inclusion Lead.

In addition to the basketball games, the day will feature a special “come and try” basketball session led by a prominent ex-NBL star and Basketball Ambassador. This inclusion ensures that the Gala Day offers a comprehensive experience for all attendees.

The community is invited to witness the incredible talent and spirit of the participating schools and to enjoy an array of activities, including the traditional sausage sizzle.

“We are thrilled to invite the community to join us in celebrating this significant milestone. It’s more than just a game; it’s about creating opportunities and fostering inclusion,” added Greg Brown.

Come and support this remarkable initiative, meet the teams, and celebrate the power of sports in bringing people together.

For more information, please contact: Steven Wright, steven@sports4all.org.au