Play in the Bay returns for a second year to Busselton Foreshore on 25 November 2023 from 9.30am to 1.30pm.
It will be an incredible event that promotes disability inclusion and offers a day of fun for the whole community.
This family friendly free event is hosted by the City of Busselton in partnership with APM Communities and various community stakeholders.
APM Communities delivers NDIS Partners in the Community services from local offices in Bunbury and Busselton.
The purpose of Play in the Bay is about promoting disability awareness and inclusion, encouraging everyone, irrespective of their abilities, to participate.
This event is an expansion from the successful Come and Try SUP Day that was on last year at the Busselton foreshore.
Sarah Bowes, Local Area Coordinator from APM Communities said in developing the event she approached the City of Busselton to join forces and then led a working group of 17 people, many who live with a disability.
"Many of our working group members live with disabilities themselves and their firsthand perspective ensures the event is suitable and welcoming to all," she said.
Meeting weekly, the working group gained support from approximately 20 community stakeholders to provide activities and information geared towards raising awareness and promoting disability inclusion on the day.
They also coordinated the Educational Support Centre to assemble 100 show bags for the day and created a work experience position for Trav Oakley who is a community member living with a disability.
Trav designed marketing materials and assisted in delivering a presentation at the high school.
For Kerry Harvey, who lives with a physical disability, being in the ocean is one of the few places she feels truly free.
Kerry who participated in last year’s Come and Try SUP Day, said, "I am grateful to businesses like SUP Life Busselton who make disability inclusion a priority."
"My experience at the last event left me feeling in safe hands due to the trained volunteers who lifted me onto the board using the transfer mat."
"What's remarkable is the reciprocity of joy – I witness how much pleasure it brings the volunteers to help me embrace the water. In their support, we all find our own kind of inclusivity," she added.
"This year's event is the opportunity for the entire community to engage in activities modified to be all-inclusive," Sarah noted.
"SUP Life Busselton has taken significant steps to make their business fully inclusive by investing in equipment such as lift mats and soft supports for their boards. This ensures that people with varying mobility levels can have a go and enjoy paddleboarding."
In 2023 Play in the Bay has expanded to include new clubs and associations, with Busselton City Football Club offering the community the chance to play blindfolded soccer.
Other stakeholders participating include WA Disabled Sports Association, Andersons Neurological, Fishability, Advocacy WA, Football West, Down South Holiday Homes, Acting Up, U Launch, EPIC Support, Enable, Chorus, SUP life Busselton, Wanslea, Cam Can, local AFL Clubs, Busselton Surf Lifesaving Club, Activ and SWAN.
Want to find out more?
Visit the City of Busselton website, or contact them on (08) 9781 0444 or by emailing city@busselton.wa.gov.au
As part of the NDIS Partners in the Community program, APM Communities help people with disability in several regions in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory to access support.
Our Local Area Coordinators (LACs) help people with disability, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, families and carers to identify and access the support they need.