Hundreds of kids and young adults living with disability have hit the courts for Newcastle's all abilities sports day.
Packing out the Newcastle Basketball stadium, the energetic players got a taste of basketball, netball, hockey, futsal, tennis, badminton, cycling and gymnastics.
The Abilities Unleashed program is delivered in partnership with Disability Sports Australia, and has supported more than 1000 children and adults living with a disability to engage in sport at the annual come-and-try events since 2022.
Disability Sports Australia representative Maddie Wood said it was a fantastic day.
"It is so great to see so many kids out here just having fun with big smiles on their face," she said.
"We have around 150 here today having a go at all the activities and we just hope it might be a spark for them finding something they love to do."
The adaptive sports sessions were guided by representatives from state and national bodies including Tennis NSW, Hockey NSW and Badminton Australia.
City of Newcastle councillor Elizabeth Adamczyk said the event was aimed at getting more young people involved in sport and recreation.
"Sport is really important for our physical and mental wellbeing," she said.
"It is also about building friendships and those connections throughout our community.
"It's about making sure people know they belong and they can be involved in anything they want to in the city."
The event also marked the launch of Newcastle council's new community directory.
The hub is designed to highlight inclusive opportunities across sport, recreation and art designed for people living with a disability, women, seniors, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally diverse and LGBTQIA+ communities.
"This is going to give people access to an easy directory of organisations,, sports, activities and supports that anyone can get involved in at any time," Cr Adamczyk said.
"We know that things have not always been accessible to every person.
"But the City of Newcastle is really committing to making sure we do that work and we are learning from people that experience the city to make it more inclusive and accessible for everyone."
President of the Community Disability Alliance Hunter board Naomi Curry said events like Thursday's all abilities sports day can build connections and get more people involved.
"The connections and and passions start in childhood and we are a nation of sport lovers," she said.
"We are sports mad and that is no different for those living with disability we love sport too.
"Events like this really help highlight the different options people have to get active and involved in the community."
Ms Curry said the directory will give people simpler information on hand so they could engage within the community easier.
"People living with disabilities will know that we can sometimes be bombarded with information," she said.
"So to have something on hand and easy to access to get the information and find out how to get involved."
