Newcastle hosted the inaugural Randstad Reach for the Stars Disability Athletics Carnival at the Hunter Sports Centre at Glendale on Friday 6th March, giving competitors the opportunity to go for gold and be discovered by the Special Olympics.
For the 300 athletes who compete at the Carnival, crossing the finish line reflects the culmination of a long and rewarding journey which not only reveals the resilience of the human spirit, but acts as an inspiration for the entire Newcastle community.
“Everyone who competes at the Carnival has a unique and inspirational story to tell, and for many, participating in this event was an achievement in itself,” says Tracey Cumbers, State Manager – Health & Community Care of specialist recruitment group Randstad, the key sponsor of the carnival.
“Watching these athletes participate is both humbling and inspiring. Seeing their smiling faces as they cross the finish line or complete the event is simply indescribable.
“The Randstad Reach for the Stars Disability Athletics Carnival provides people with physical and intellectual disabilities with the opportunity to compete in a variety of sporting events whilst strengthening their self esteem and improving their personal relationships. It also provides friends, family, carers and Randstad staff with a greater understanding and appreciation of the challenges, struggles and triumphs of people with disabilities,” says Cumbers.
The Randstad Reach for the Stars Disability Athletics Carnival is one of the biggest athletics carnivals held each year in Sydney, and this year saw the inaugural Newcastle Disability Athletics Carnival.
“We are very excited to host the inaugural Athletics Carnival in Newcastle, as we have been running this highly successful event for the last five years in Sydney. There has been such a fantastic response by the disability and care communities in both the Sydney and Newcastle regions, and we are delighted that this was such a successful and memorable event for everyone involved,” says Cumbers.
Cumbers says that this year’s event was also attended by representatives from the Special Olympics who were keen to see the next generation of Australian athletes. “The Junior National Games will be held in Newcastle in 2011 and they were looking to gauge interest from athletes at the Carnival who might like to become members of the Special Olympics. So the future could be even brighter for those who performed well on the day.
Approximately 300 competitors with physical and intellectual disabilities participated from disability services in the region, including: Newcastle & Hunter Community Access Programs; Life Without Barriers; Newlake Peer Support; The Mai-Wel Group; Endeavour Industries; Response Services and Castle Personnel.
Some of the many athletic challenges that took place included: 100m manual wheelchair race; 100m electric wheelchair race; women’s 100m sprint (ambulant); men’s 100m sprint (ambulant); long jump; throwing events, plus many more. Every athlete was encouraged to join in and have a go.