Our History

Inclusion in Action

How did New Horizon’s Tasmania come about?

In the mid-1980s, self-confessed netball enthusiast Robyn Hanson was approached by the family of a young woman with Down syndrome who was eager to join a local club.

“Although it seems hard to believe now, she’d been refused” says Robyn.

“The club had basically said that they felt she would slow everyone else down — that they really didn’t know what they could do with her — I couldn’t quite believe what I was hearing”.

Shocked by this injustice, Robyn investigated the opportunities available for Tasmanians with disabilities to participate in sport. She was dismayed to find there were very few.

At the time, Robyn was working with the Tasmanian Department of Sport and Recreation. Together with her colleague Ted Gleeson, she pitched the idea for a sports club for people with disabilities. Their goal was to create a space where members could get physically active, learn new skills, and most importantly, play at their own pace without pressure. The Tasmanian Government agreed to fund a trial in Launceston, and in 1986, New Horizons Club was born.

Today, New Horizons is one of Australia’s leading inclusive sport and recreation providers, connecting local people with disabilities to dynamic, inclusive activities.

“Our initial model was volunteer-based due to a very tight budget, but this turned out to be what made our programs so successful,” says Robyn. “We partnered with local sports clubs for many of our programs, and the volunteers were passionate and dedicated. This created a supportive atmosphere, like an extended family.”

As more and more people joined New Horizons, the number of volunteers grew, as friends and family members were keen to help out too.

In 1996, a satellite branch began operations in Scottsdale, followed by another in Wynyard in 2015. Meanwhile, New Horizons headquarters in Launceston fielded (and continues to field) multiple calls a week from individuals, families, and carers across the state, inquiring about when New Horizons might start up in their town.

“We know there is such unmet need — we really hope to be able to be represented in all regions at some stage,” says current CEO Belinda Kitto, who has been managing the organization since 2006.

In 2018, New Horizons was awarded a Commonwealth Bank community grant of $150,000 over three years to begin part-time operations in Hobart. That same year, New Horizons Club changed its name to New Horizons Tasmania to reflect this long-wished-for expansion to Hobart.

Since then, our team of core staff and volunteers has continued to deliver dynamic programs, social occasions, and excellent outcomes through all kinds of challenges, including critical funding issues. Along the way, we’ve seen athletes join mainstream sporting clubs, represent their state and country, make new friends, build confidence, improve fitness, and, together, have so much fun.

And what about the wonderful late Ted Gleeson? Approximately ten years after helping set up New Horizons Club, Ted welcomed a beautiful new grandson who became a New Horizons member himself. In his retirement, Ted became a much-loved volunteer.

New Horizons has now expanded to not only have a Northern and Southern presence but also operates on the Northwest with a base in Penguin.

As the world becomes more inclusive, we hope there will be less need for organisations like New Horizons. In the meantime, we are committed to contributing to a more equitable community and having a great time while doing it!