A total of 42 teams from across the region converged on Dubbo’s Caltex Park last week for the second annual Disability League Tag carnival.
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Disabled players lined up alongside their carers and family members on the field, and all produced some eye-catching play.
The day promoted inclusion with 24 teams featuring disabled players competing against 18 teams made up of carers and services.
“Today is about the people with disabilities and carers,” Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service’s Jay Forrester said.
“People with disabilities sometimes don’t get the camaraderie from playing with and against each other so it’s about building that camaraderie and showing we’re all one in together.
“You can see by the turnout with 42 teams it’s a positive thing not just for Dubbo but for surrounding regions.”
The NRL was also part of the day and former stars Nathan Merritt and Joe Galuvao made their way around the various grounds to help promote the game while Wellington’s former Paralympian Ben Austin was also involved.
Organisations and groups on show at the carnival included Gungie, Westhaven, NSW Carers, Life Without Barriers, Carewest, Northcott, Breakthrough, Challenge Services and Red Cross while there were also a host of others.
All organisers added no one was left out with many carers out helping those in wheelchairs up and down the fields, helping them score tries. Forrester added if the carnival continues to grow there is the chance it could become a regular weekend competition.