Page 1319 - Week 04 - Thursday, 7 April 2016

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was developed by 13-year-old Claire Falls to raise both the profile and funds to support disability inclusion in football.

Claire Falls is a young, visually impaired soccer player, a member of the Tuggeranong United Football Club. Since being diagnosed with a visual impairment in 2013 Ms Falls has been an advocate, primarily through social media, for inclusion in football of and support for people with a disability. Supported by Capital Football, FEVER is a one-day event which aims to bring the community together to participate, with particular focus on including people with disabilities, through whatever necessary modifications might be required.

On Sunday participants were asked to contribute a $5 entry fee and donate items which were auctioned to raise funds to support Capital Football’s football connect (disability inclusion) program. I admire Claire and her strong advocacy on behalf of disabled athletes. She is an inspiration and I congratulate her on a successful 2016 FEVER footballathon fundraiser.

Yesterday I was lucky enough to meet with three Canberrans who are all hoping to make it to Rio for the Olympics and the Paralympics. I met with Katie Kelly and Nic Beveridge, who are both para triathletes. In fact Katie is the current world champion. I also met Rebecca Wiasak, who competes in both track and road cycling. She is the current world champion in the track cycling individual pursuit and is aiming to break into Australia’s strong track cycling team pursuit squad for Rio. Katie, Nic and Rebecca are trying to get to Rio. They are all recipients of ACT Olympic and Paralympic training grants which are administered by the ACT Academy of Sport.

Thirty local athletes will receive direct funding support from the ACT government towards the costs of training, competition and equipment as they work towards selection or qualification for the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. These 30 local athletes compete in a variety of Olympic and Paralympic sports including track and road cycling, BMX, athletics, rowing, volleyball, hockey, judo, triathlon and swimming.

Funding will assist Katie, Nic and Rebecca with the costs of training, competition and equipment as they endeavour to gain selection for the Rio Games. For some athletes, receiving this funding could be the difference between qualifying or not. Olympic and Paralympic selection processes vary for each sport, and we will continue to support our local elite athletes as they pursue their dreams of representing Australia at the Rio Games this year. I wish these talented sportspeople the best of luck with their preparations for selection and hopefully they will be representing Canberra and Australia in Rio.

Celebrate Gungahlin festival

MS FITZHARRIS (Molonglo—Minister for Higher Education, Training and Research, Minister for Transport and Municipal Services and Assistant Minister for Health) (4.41): I am very pleased today to have an opportunity to speak about the wonderful Celebrate Gungahlin festival that was held over the weekend.


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