DEAF BASKETBALL INCLUSION OFFICER

As a result of the close parternship between Deaf Basketball Victoria and Basketball Victoria, Basketball Victoria has taken steps to ensure the long term sustainability of Deaf Basketball, through the appointment of an Inclusion Officer to join the Disabilty Inclusion Team.

Irena Farinacci was recently appointed as the Basketball Victoria Deaf Inclusion Officer. Irena has a wealth of knowledge in Sport for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Participants. Some general information on Irena:

Sports plays a major part in Irena's life having grown up competing in a variety of disciplines including tennis, soccer, cricket and basketball.

As an athlete, Irena has represented Australia in basketball three times - at the 1997 and 2005 Deaflympic Games and at the 2007 World Deaf Basketball Championships. She has won the Deaf Basketball Australia MVP Award three times.

While working on a part-time basis at Basketball Victoria, Irena also works as a Sports Development Officer for Deaf Sports Australia on a part-time basis as well. She also worked as the National Sports Coordinator during 1997-2001 and again as Project Officer in 2003 for Deaf Sports Australia. She also worked as a Sport Liaison Officer for the 2002 World Masters Games in Melbourne. Irena has also been involved with Deaf Basketball Australia, Deaf Sport Recreation Victoria and Deaf Basketball Victoria in many capacities.

As the Deaf Inclusion Officer at Basketball Victoria, Irena is keen to see an increase in participation from grassroot levels, an effective pathways program and high level state basketball programs.

Irena works on Thursdays and Fridays at Basketball Victoria and can be contacted via email: irena.farinacci@basketballvictoria.com.au