All Abilities Program
In Winter 2024 we are once again running an All Abilities Program, which will have us hosting training sessions that are curated to cater for those with any physical or intellectual disability, and provide a safe and inclusive environment for everyone to learn basic baseball skills in a social setting, at their own pace.
We are so proud of our program and are excited to see it continue and grow into this and future seasons!
Our Program
The All Abilities Program is fully supervised & heavily supported, open to all ages, all genders
Training session will run at Wallington Reserve on Thursday evenings, from 5-6pm.
We also run an optional social club dinner that we host every Thursday after All Abilities & Junior Training at 6.30pm. Participants and their families are welcome to join for some or all of the dinners - we take RSVPs weekly so simply let us know if you're staying around!
Our Support
Our program is run by a number of club coaches, players and volunteers who are passionate about making the sport more accessible to more people.
We have a qualified disability support worker bringing over 10 years experience, with NDIS screening workers check & first aid.
All of our coaches and leadership team also have their Working with Children Checks.
We partner with a local support agency and can recommend others if additional, formal support is required that may be funded through the NDIS.
How do I join?
If you have further questions please see our FAQ section on this page. We have tried to make it as comprehensive as possible, and we are updating it regularly.
If you're ready to join:
STEP 1:
REGISTER WITH BASEBALL VIC
Register as "Training Only" with Baseball Victoria allows you to join the program and registers your participation.
It is $50 per year.
STEP 2:
REGISTER WITH BEARS
Register with the Bears & pay the Club Fee at our Club Rooms, or online (see below).
It is also $50 per year.
Funds contributed help us fund the equipment and infrastructure required to run the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the commitment involved?
The program runs training sessions on Thursday evenings, from 5-6pm, at Wallington Reserve in Wallington, on the Bellarine Peninsula. The program starts on May 5th, and runs for 9 weeks. You are most welcome to stay around after training to join for dinner, but there's no requirement to. Just let us know if you'd like to week to week.
Can anyone join the All Abilities Program?
Yes. The All Abilities Program caters to all ages, all genders and all abilities. If you do not require an amended game format to play, even if you have no experience, we recommend you talk to us about joining one of our Junior, Senior or Women's teams.
How much does it cost to join?
Registering with Baseball Victoria is $50 for the season..
Registering with Bellarine Bears is $50 for the season.
Participants should wear sneakers and comfortable athletic clothing, but all other equipment will be provided by the club.
Is the Program funded by the NDIS?
The registration fees are not funded by the NDIS.
If you require more formal support to participate in or to travel to the program, this may be funded. Please discuss this with your NDIS support contact directly.
I don't need to join the program, but I would like to help.. how can I?
We are always looking for passionate volunteers to help us run the program, so please send us an email if you're interested!
Alternatively, by purchasing a Club Social Membership (via our online Club Store or in person at the Club Rooms) for $50, you will help us fund the support required to run the program.
And as always, you can share news of our program with your own communities, and encourage anyone who would like to access it to reach out to us.
How do I know if the program will be able to cater for my particular needs?
We have tried to make the structure of the program as accessible as possible to many people as possible - but we know that everyone is unique. If you would like to discuss your needs with us, and possible amendments we can make to allow you to join, we would LOVE to hear from you.
Please send us an email, or pop down to the club - we would be glad to have that conversation with you.