When you focus on someone’s disability, you’ll overlook their abilities. Eight young people from ConnectGV have just returned from a week long trip to Adelaide where they demonstrated their collective abilities in a number of competitive events.
The team have been in training for nearly a year, setting new times and getting themselves prepared for the competition. With the support of NDIS funding, it enabled them to be supported by staff from ConnectGV and for some of them to take a holiday away from home that otherwise might not have been possible.
Aside from pursuing medals, and they returned with a chest full of them, the group were pressed to use independent skills that otherwise they might not have. The occasion also enabled them to make new friends and expand their social horizons at parties the teams had, dining out and dancing with each other or dressing up for an ‘Out of this World’ theme night.
Ben Grapetin, one of the young competitors came back with three gold medals as well as two silvers and a bronze, also being awarded the runner up Best Male Athlete, category A.
Each of them are very pleased and proud of their medals however, as Rosemary Glover, one of the athletes said, “The medals are good but it was the chance to go and meet new friends that was the best.”
ConnectGV Future Direction manager, Treena Best, said, “ConnectGV worked with individuals to put a plan in place and provide the support they need to achieve goals and realise their dreams. The Tri State games are just one example of this. Whilst the event is only 7 days ConnectGV staff are committed to months of training with the athletes leading into the event. There is also a great deal of fundraising that our staff do to cover the costs of the things such as team uniforms, banners, transport, accommodation that aren’t covered by the NDIS. ConnectGV staff work over and above to travel to and attend the event with the team to provide 24/7 support.”
Tri State Games is a competition run annually between, New South Wales, South Australia & Victoria This year the event was held for the second year in Adelaide. Teams compete in indoor sports, team sports, athletics and swimming events, along with social events in the evenings. The Tri State Games 2020/21 will be in Cobram / Barooga (8-13th November 2020).
