INCREASING participation and the awareness of the benefits of sport were the key messages that Deaf Sports Australia were trying to get across at Tuesday's program in Dubbo.
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With more than 20 deaf and hard of hearing children from Dubbo and surrounding towns in attendance, Sports Development Officer at Deaf Sports Australia, Irena Farinacci, promoted the positive impact sport can have on the lives of those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
"Its great to bring the kids together and get them participating in sport," Ms Farinacci said.
"It is showing them that they can do it and giving them confidence.
"Also there are major health benefits to exercising more as well.
"If you look at statistics of people who are deaf, they are a lot more prone to being depressed or obese as they don't do as much exercise."
Kids in attendance tried their hand at baseball, tennis and hockey, and hopefully found a passion to continue the sports on throughout the year.
Ms Farinacci spoke of her own experiences as a child who was hearing impaired, who found sport to be a great way to interact with people who have no hearing difficulties.
"Growing up and being a deaf person, I found sports to be very inclusive and great for my confidence," Ms Farinacci said.
"Sport it a great way to learn new skills, get outside and be healthy and you never know where it will lead for you."
Tuesday was Ms Farinacci's first visit to Dubbo but she hopes to make more trips in future if government funding allows it. Ms Farinacci represented Australia in basketball at the Deaflympics in 1997 and 2005, finishing in the top four and top six respectively.
