School onto a winner with inclusive sports

Dalby State School has been praised for their efforts in maintaining an 'inclusive' sporting environment

SPORTING STARS: Dalby State School's sporting program places an emphasis on inclusive participation. Picture: Meg Gannon

FOR Dalby State School sports teacher Tamara Kavney, sports should include all children, regardless of ability, experience or age.

A good sporting match is one where everyone enjoys themselves and feels included.

This mindset has now been recognised and praised, with the school taking out the award for Sport Darling Downs Primary School of the Year, given out at the annual presentation in Toowoomba.

Mrs Kavney nominated the school hoping for the best, knowing the work they had done was worthy of the accolade.

"We were really surprised,” Mrs Kavney said.

"We knew we'd done a lot of good work but we were still sort of surprised.

"It was really unexpected but we do a lot of work here, so that was rewarding.”

As the only state school out of the four finalists, Dalby State School took home the award for the advancements they've made with their inclusive sporting program.

"There's something for everybody,” Mrs Kavney said.

"You don't have to specialise or it doesn't matter if you're gifted or not.

"It's just inclusive to everybody.”

School principal Mona Anau is someone who would rather the school try and fail than not try at all, and said she was incredibly proud of the school's sporting program.

"It doesn't discriminate,” Ms Anau said.

"It encourages students to become active, but at the same time it supports those students who are already quite talented.

"It just extends their skills and abilities and knowledge within particular sports.”

More than 100 schools nominated themselves and their school for the prestigious award.