Helping people with disability engage in sport

Inclusive. Passionate. Selfless

In her personal and professional life, Brooke Wilkie is committed to helping people with disability.

The Penrith resident is General Manager of the Nepean Area Disability Organisation (NADO), which prides itself on being a local organisation that provides tangible interventions to help people with disability find work and enjoy friendships, sport, leisure and independence.

Brooke spent much of her own time setting up the charity’s Penrith Touch Football Team after she realised many people who loved football were being relegated to the sidelines because of their disabilities.

Through Brooke’s devoted support over the past six years, there are now seventy players across the different touch football teams, all enjoying an opportunity to experience the joy and tears of winning and losing, in addition to gaining ball skills and learning the importance of teamwork.

At first, it was a challenge to get all the players to run in the right direction. But now many are equal to or better than those in the opposing team.

“Young people who once had little to talk about to friends and family now have their own proud story to tell,” says Brooke, who is not concerned about recognition for herself and finds being voted a Westfield Local Hero a little overwhelming.

Brooke is proud to be creating opportunities for people to “live a life of fulfilment”. Even during her holidays, she is committed to helping people with disabilities. Before a recent trip to Bali, she collected gifts to give to the local school for children with a disability.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation.

NADO will use its grant to support the team’s entry into the State Cup 2020.

“It can be quite challenging to find ongoing sponsorships for our teams each year. This grant will allow myself, the team and their families to focus on preparation and training and cover all costs associated with registrations, jerseys, travel and accommodation,” says Brooke.

__For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here. __