Hockey Australia and APM take leaps with Inclusive Handbook
Published Thu 01 Dec 2022
Hockey Australia, together with Major Partner APM, will launch an Inclusive Hookin2Hockey Handbook to coincide with International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) at the penultimate match of the Kookaburras series against India this Saturday (3 December 2022) in Adelaide.
The Handbook is a resource for coaches in supporting the inclusion of priority communities including people with disability, First Nations people, the LGBTQ+ community, women & girls, and culturally and linguistically diverse people.
The Handbook was compiled in collaboration with APM, who specialise on enhancing an individual’s employability, health and wellbeing, and social and economic participation in their community. This includes for people with disability.
The 24-page handbook can be downloaded here.
To celebrate the launch of the handbook, an inclusive hockey session conducted by several Kookaburras stars will be held at MATE Stadium prior to the match against India on Saturday.
An official function to launch the handbook will follow the session. The function will include speeches from Paralympians Michael Dobbie-Bridges and Jason Diederich, who are employed at APM as Strategic Advisor - Disability and General Manager APM Communities respectively. Michael will also toss the coin at prior to the match.
“Inclusivity is one of the core values of Hockey Australia and we are proud of our standing and reputation in this space,” said Hockey Australia CEO David Pryles.
“In hockey we welcome and value everyone as they are. This handbook will be an invaluable tool for not only coaches but all stakeholders involved in our sport.”
“We are privileged to have a Major Partner like APM who are passionate about making a difference.
“I would especially like to thank Hockey Australia Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager Melissa Gmeiner, who together with APM, have produced a fantastic resource that is going to be of great use and benefit to allow everyone to enjoy our sport.”
Michael Dobbie-Bridges said APM is pleased to support this important initiative to get Australians who are often excluded into hockey.
“Sport inspires and brings people together as participants and we are confident this excellent guide will help break down barriers that prevent too many people from becoming more active in sport and, importantly, build a more inclusive and fairer society,” he said.
“We look forward to seeing this guide in action and the eventual launch of an inclusive hockey league in 2023.”
About APM
APM Group is a global health and human services provider now enabling better lives for more than 2 million people each year. APM helps people to find employment, improve their health and wellbeing, and participate in their community. APM’s services help people with injury, illness or disability, children and older adults, unemployed people, and those facing hardship or harm. The organisation is dedicated to making a positive and lasting social impact and enabling better lives every day.
