Ice Sports Victoria were proud to celebrate the success of the Melbourne Ice Women's Team on Wednesday night at Marvel Stadium. At the recent Vicsport Awards, the ladies took home the award for SportsLink Travel Victorian Sports Team of the Year, reinforcing Ice Sports Victoria's welcoming approach to inclusive participation and the success this can have for a sport. As the state sporting associations for Ice Hockey, Curling, Figure Skating, and Speed Skating, Ice Sports Victoria strive to create opportunites for increased particpation in ways that are inclusive.

President of Ice Sports Victoria, Pam Cavanagh said "It's wonderful to see the hard work of the players being recognised. Smaller sports are being noticed and it's allowing us to be in a position to offer more inclusive opportunities"

Ice Sports Victoria continues to demonstrate this inclusive attitude. Last year Ice Sports Victoria delivered the first ice session specifically adapted to support Autistic children to experience ice sports. On November 2018, 15 students from Eastern Ranges School had a fun and eventful session on the ice at O'Brien Group Arena. The event was delivered as part of a 12 month project funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria to conduct a pilot project for children with autism. Ice Sports Victoria have chosen to use curling as the ideal sport to engage these children. The project will include off ice activities to compliment the ice sessions. Floor curling will be introduced as a fun experience at the school in early March, so that students can begin familiarising themselves with the ice sport. 4 more ice sessions will then be offered throughout 2019.

The Eastern Ranges School is identifying and developing relationships with other schools to be able to build a sustainable program in the future. If you would like more information or to express your interest, please contact Pam from Ice Sports Victoria on 0402 479 254 or email president@icesportsvictoria.org.au