BIZLINK ALL ABILITY FLAMES

A LETTER FROM JON,

The Rockingham Flames Bizlink All Abilities group started out life simply as the Rockingham Community Basketball group way back in approximately May of 2012. 

The group was formed after the 2012 Under 20 National titles which also incorporated the Ivor Burge National titles for basketballer’s with an intellectual disability. I was the team manager for the first ever women’s team to represent WA in the Ivor Burge event. I was staggered by the lack of groups from around Perth and in particular in the South West of the metro area- from Fremantle to Mandurah.

With the help of several Local Area Co-ordinator’s (LAC’s) from the Disability Services Commission this group was started with the LAC’s doing the advertising through their own client base. This set up lasted until the end of 2014, when the group could function without the D.S.C providing the administrative side of things. Since then the group has continued to flourish with the ongoing help of my parents and carers who provide valuable assistance and insight into how we should run.

Throughout this period, we have had players from the Rockingham Flames NBL1 teams provide specialist coaching and joining in the games we play at the end of each session. Personally, I would like to mention 2 past NBL1 players in Kaye White (nee Tucker) and Cooper Land, who both gave their time freely and willingly to help this group improve. Thank you both for all your help. Through Amy Osmond, we recently had an hour session with Greg Hire, which was special for all of our players. Thank you to you both for putting a smile on our players faces.

The natural progression from these initial seasons was to then come under the umbrella of the Flames and after initial discussions with Warren after the conclusion of the 2018 NBL1 season, we assumed our current name with a sponsorship from Bizlink Employment Services.

With thanks to our All Abilities Basketball program partner – Bizlink Quality Employment