We are pleased to announce that Baseball Victoria was one of the successful sports to receive significant funding from the Victoria State Government with a $100,000 commitment over 2 years to deliver Access For All Abilities Initiatives.
In a media release on Sunday, 13th October 2013, the Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty announced a $1.84 million boost for sport and community organisations from Access for All Abilities program. 29 sport and community organisations will share $1.84 million in Victorian Coalition Government funding delivering targeted sports programs and services for Victorians with a disability.
Access for All Abilities is a Victorian Government initiative coordinated by Sport and Recreation Victoria. The program supports and develops inclusive sport and recreation opportunities for people with a disability throughout Victoria.
Families, friends, care givers, clubs, sporting associations, leisure centres and community groups can get involved. Everyone involved benefits from Access for All Abilities. Not only are there health and wellbeing benefits, but there are opportunities to meet new people, make new friends, learn new skills, have fun, or even build a whole new sporting career.
On 24 April 2013 the Government announced changes to the Access for All Abilities program so that we can do more to build lasting capacity in local sporting clubs, and provide better sport and recreation outcomes for people with a disability.
Over the course of 2013, changes to the Access for All Abilities program included funding on a competitive basis to State Sporting Associations (SSAs), who lead the development of particular sporting codes in Victoria. Through the funding SSA’s will build the capacity of their clubs to provide opportunities for active participation by people with a disability. Funding on a competitive basis to disability sports and community-based organisations, is to support the delivery of targeted programs and services that complement work by SSAs and RSAs, with community sport and recreation clubs.
Baseball Victoria believe that as a community we cannot underestimate the importance of baseball as an inclusive and accessible sport, leisure and recreation activity irrespective of age, gender, race or ability and the contribution it makes to the quality of life of those who participate. We are passionate about this concept.
Baseball Victoria were recognised as one of the standout sports in our approach and were fortunate enough to be successful in our bid to secure Access For All Abilities funding for 2013/14 – 2014/15! We are now in the process of establishing Baseball Victoria’s - Baseball For All Initiative.
This funding will enable the appointment of a dedicated resource, the Baseball Victoria Inclusion and Participation Officer, to coordinate, activate and drive the implementation of the Baseball For All Initiative across a targeted network of baseball clubs in Victoria.
“The Coalition Government is committed to ensuring everyone has a chance to not only get involved in sport but reach their potential.
“That’s why this latest investment is so important. The funding will go towards making sport accessible and inclusive for all, regardless of ability.
“There are 25 sports and four community organisations sharing in the $1.84 million which aims to provide the necessary resources needed so that all people can tap into local sporting opportunities,” Mr Delahunty said.
Baseball Victoria currently have three active inclusive program providers across the Victorian club network (located at Upwey, Doncaster and Essendon), providing participation opportunities for approximately 25 participants representing children under 10 years, teens and adults up to 45 years.
Programs are tailored to the needs and skills of the participants they attract and are represented by people with a diverse range of disabilities.
Historically, each program was run solely by club volunteers with the support of Baseball Victoria’s Participation Manager (delivery and volunteer support) and assisted by Local Government AAA Coordinators (information distribution channel and primary connection with participants), that are no longer available.
Introducing the Baseball For All Initiative 2013 - 2015
Baseball Victoria is committed to creating opportunities for active participation for people with a disability, creating awareness and promoting inclusiveness, building club capacity and resources, ensuring consistent and sustainable delivery models and linking key populations to targeted programs.
Baseball Victoria recognise our primary role and responsibility is to lead, initiate, activate and facilitate our clubs and associations in providing direct opportunities for increased and inclusive participation in sport and recreation activities (on and off the field).
To achieve this and other important inclusive community sport outcomes, Baseball Victoria is proposing the development and implementation of the Baseball For All Initiative.
A core focus of the Baseball For All Initiative is to build and maintain club capacity and develop a sustainable community sport program delivery model, with an emphasis on engaging people with a disability, across the Victorian Baseball Club network.
Baseball Victoria understand that it will be important to:
• Foster and develop partnerships and networks to enhance equity of access and inclusion in baseball activities,
• Promote awareness of the availability and benefits of active participation and inclusion in whole of club life,
• Influence the planning and development of accessible and inclusive baseball environments, policies, strategies, tools and resources, and
• Develop a sustainable delivery model for community sports programs across the Victorian club network.
A critical requirement of the Baseball For All Initiative is to drive key actions and focus on priority delivery outcomes. The Baseball For All Initiative will:
• Build awareness throughout the Victorian Baseball community regarding inclusiveness, and other key messages identified by key stakeholders.
• Facilitate collaboration between key stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Establish a Program Working Group with representatives from (but not limited to) RSA’s, LGA’s, vicsport, Vic Health, First Point of Call disability agencies, disability organisations and other sports delivering inclusive programs and activities.
• Develop a suite of resources and toolkits based on best practice models for the implementation and support of community sports programs.
• Strategically develop, activate and deliver inclusive programs in each Baseball Victoria Planning Zone with a focus on Metropolitan Melbourne.
• Build the capacity and capability of regional and district level clubs to engage and provide inclusive programs and initiatives.
• Empower big brother clubs to provide training and support to satellite clubs within their wider catchment.
• Measure (qualitative and quantitative) and report Baseball For All Initiative outcomes.
• Establish a system for communicating program progress, learnings and outcomes to key stakeholders.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement in our inclusive policies, programs and practices to better provide for priority populations.
• Ensure long term sustainability and flexibility of the Baseball For All Initiative beyond initial funding and support.
Baseball Victoria aims to develop and build the capacity of our club network to deliver community sports programs. For this reason Baseball Victoria are combining resources to apportion the role, to provide a Baseball Development Officer to assist in the delivery of key participation outcomes also.
Driving Participation
Inclusion and Participation Officer
Working directly with Target Clubs and RSA’s to drive the successful implementation of a sustainable community sports program delivery model.
The Baseball Victoria Inclusion and Participation Officer position is required to coordinate, activate and drive the implementation of the Baseball for All Initiative across a targeted network of baseball clubs in Victoria.
The position is considered an intermediate role within the sport and recreation industry and will require a candidate with extensive relationship building skills and ability.
The role will deliver on the strategic planning for, and roll-out of Baseball for All initiatives. The role requires a forward planning focus as opposed to supporting the day-to-day work carried out by local clubs.