By Aaron Cordy
ALANA Baldi has dedicated more than 15 years to supporting people with a disability connecting and enjoying sport. Taking life of cricket knowledge, she was one of 44 participants to take part in women’s leadership program called, Project Inspire. Through the project, she setup an all abilities program at the Numurkah Youth Club Cricket Club (NYCCC).
Fifteen participants, many who participated in cricket for the first time, enjoyed a six week program that was based on being involved in a mainstream Cricket Club, being out in the sun and fresh air, and learning new skills in a safe and inclusive environment that Alana and NYCCC provided.
The program was so successful that Alana is a finalist for two Victorian Sports Awards: the Gallagher Community Coach of the Year and the Polytan Peter Norman Inclusion Award.
“To be a finalist in two categorise is a huge honour. These are the most prestigious sports awards in Victoria and to be selected as a final analyst by the calibre of judges, as I said, it’s an honour. But the way that I want to look at it is it’s also a big win for inclusion. It’s a win for everyone with a disability to say, ‘hey, look, you can do this,’” said Alana.
Alana’s own story is one of overcoming tragedy to inspiring people with what she has achieved. Three years ago, she miraculously survived a life-threatening accident that left her with a traumatic brain injury and hearing loss. She has had to overcome many challenges as she rebuilds her life.
“I spent so long volunteering in that space, but never did I think I would be the one with a disability. Unfortunately, things happen in life, that’s just reality. You never know when something is going to happen.” said Alana.
“Now I have lived experience of what it’s like to live with a disability, I think that’s made me an even better coach, because I understand things like sensory needs. For example, I have to wear hearing aids because I’ve lost a lot of my hearing. So, I know not to use a whistle, because that’s very sensitive blowing a whistle when someone’s wearing hearing aids. Also, people with autism don’t like a lot of high-pitched sounds. Of course, you can do a lot of research and knowledge and understanding of disabilities. In my opinion, lived experience is the key to making the clinics as good as they can be.”
“I’ve been given a second chance in life, which doesn’t really happen. So now I want to make the most of that, and these clinics are the start of showing leadership of somebody with a disability. We can be coaches. We can be scorers, because I score cricket as well every weekend.
“I think just being a finalist in the top four of two categories is a huge honour and proves how successful the program has been.”
Along with Alana, the Shepparton BMX Multi Use Events Facility is a Victoria Sports Award finalist for the Bunnings Trade Local Government Initiative of the Year. The awards will be held at the MCG on, Wednesday, May 13.
