About this Short Film
Shepparton Athletics Club Para Athletics Stars Story (Alana Baldi, Australia, 2022) offers a concise, warm look at themes of inclusion and sport within a local setting. The film's title points to a focus on para athletics and the community around Shepparton Athletics Club. While brief, this piece complements the Focus on Ability festival programme by highlighting everyday achievements, group connection and the energy young adults bring to sport. It sits alongside other shorts that celebrate capacity and participation, and invites audiences to consider how local clubs can foster belonging and opportunity for people with disability.
Film Details
Film Transcript
On the lands of the Yorta Yorta people you will find the Shepherd and Athletics Club, which was formed in 2019 with the vision of being the home for athletics in the Golden Valley — to provide opportunities for participation and development for all. Our athletics club is a small, family-orientated club.
I'd like to introduce you to two of their para athletic stars, Fraser and Zoe. Fraser and Zoe are exceptional athletes at our club, holding a number of club records over numerous events. Fraser loves to participate in all events, giving everything a go to the best of his ability. Zoe also likes to participate in all events, especially throwing and jumping, and this season gave long-distance running a try for the very first time.
Fraser's mum and sister, pictured here, Carolyn and Briley, are also integral members of the Shepherd and Athletics Club, as is Zoe's mum Amy, who was one of the co-founders of the Shepherd and Athletics Club and competes alongside her daughter at our weekly club competitions.
This year seen Fraser dominate his age group for throwing events, breaking a number of club records. Here is Zoe pictured participating in the club's very first para athletics clinics held this year to encourage and promote athletics amongst the disability sports community in Shepparton.
Fraser and Zoe both had standout seasons, breaking a number of club records and also being crowned junior female and male club champions at this year's annual club awards. Awards are a reflection of Zoe and Fraser's passion and dedication to their athletics; by outscoring their able-bodied clubmates by participating in a wide range of events throughout the season, Zoe and Fraser always show fantastic sportsmanship, always encourage their clubmates and always help in the packing up and setting up of events at the Shepherd and Athletics Club.
The Shepherd and Athletics Club is very proud of the two para athletic stars and is hoping to grow their para athletics programme to showcase more athletes with disabilities in the Golden Valley region and for them to participate in athletics, track and field.
Thank you for watching my story, and I hope Zoe and Fraser inspire you to participate in athletics too.
Filmmaker
Alana Baldi is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Alana Baldi.
