Sport
7 April, 2026
Asteria hosts all abilities come and try event
Asteria Services recently held its first all abilities Tri State Games event with participants running, passing and scoring at the netball come and try day.
Held at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre on Friday, March 27, over 30 all-ability players from across the region participated in a skills session hosted by Netball Victoria and several modified mixed matches.
Made possible through the State Government’s Regional All Abilities Participation Grant, the games aim to provide inclusive sporting opportunities and highlight pathways for participation.
“There’s definitely a lack of all ability type sports in Maryborough specifically,” Asteria service coordinator Claire de Natris said.
“We want to try and get people motivated and provide opportunities to connect with the community.
“The game was modified to suit the skills of the individual and that’s what makes it inclusive.”
Alongside the support from Netball Victoria and the Mary-borough Sports and Leisure Centre, Sports Focus Bendigo, Maryborough Netball Association, Maryborough Rotary Club and McCallums Disability Services St Arnaud also contributed to the event.
After a final match between representative teams from St Arnaud and Maryborough, Sports Focus presented awards to players for their efforts. De Natris said the event was extremely well received by local participants.
“There was a sense of pride and connection to what that day was about,” she said.
“It was exciting being there and everyone, even if it was just cheering, participated and I think that was the highlight of the day.
“We’ve still got people walking around wearing their medals from the award ceremony, showing everyone what they won and what it was for.”
Asteria has already announced a second event for Friday, April 24, with a basketball come and try day set to be held at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre.
“We would love to be able to provide more opportunities for more sporting events in the community,” de Natris said.
“Because we did see there was a strong need for more of this type of thing, we have connected with another provider and said that we might even run some friendly matches throughout the year.”