Grant gives Olympians the jump

A $1000 grant from Dardanup Shire Council has helped Special Olympics South West kick-start a specialised basketball program for people with an intellectual disability.

Held at the Eaton Recreation Centre twice a week, the program gives South West Special Olympians the chance to hone their basketball skills with the help of volunteer coaches.

Special Olympics South West chairwoman Allison Burnett said the basketball training sessions offered sporting opportunities in an inclusive environment.

"The program aims to provide sporting opportunities for people with an intellectual disability," she said.

"We want to create a long-term and sustainable sporting program for the whole community."

Volunteers run the program with centre staff and Eaton Community College leadership students. Ms Burnett said having the Eaton Recreation Centre and Eaton Community College involved in the program helped improve community understanding and acceptance.

"Building within the schooling community creates more inclusive sporting practices," she said.

"People without a disability can develop an understanding of the challenges people with a disability encounter."

Ms Burnett said the program also aimed to improve the coaching skillsets of the volunteers involved and develop the college's leadership students as coaches.

"We are going to use the funding for professional coaches to coach our coaches," she said.