The Ontario Trillium Foundation is breaking down barriers to allow people with disabilities to try their hand at new sports.

The Breaking Down Barriers Independent Living Resource Centre received a $141,000 grant from the Foundation to launch The Integrated Sports and Leisure Network.

On Friday, the new sporting body for people with disabilities was unveiled at the Collingwood Curling Club, which was recently made accessible with an elevator and wheelchair ramp for the Paralympic Winter Championships this past winter.

The Network, which includes the Georgian Bay Breakers Sports Club, an accessible recreational club sponsored by Breaking Down Barriers, was made possible through the partnership between Breaking Down Barriers and the Collingwood Curling Club. The curling club provided volunteers and free ice time early on in the development of sports activities for members.

Members of this partnership wrote a proposal to the Ontario Trillium Foundation in 2007 in hopes of expanding their repertoire of recreational offerings. The organization was officially awarded the grant in April of this year.

Breaking Down Barriers strives to create a supportive community where people with disabilities can live independent lives. Andrea Abbott-Kokosin, Executive Director for the organization, says this funding will make their mission even more reachable. Building relationships with local community sports and recreational organizations, clubs and associations is a major goal of the Network.

The grant will also be used to increase membership, recruit coaches and help in the training of volunteers. The funds are also meant to help create awareness about the Network and the independent living initiatives.

The Network's purpose is meant to provide youth and adults with disabilities an increased opportunity to participate in a wider range of inclusive active living programs with trained coaches and volunteers.

Members of the sports club started golfing this summer, and those interested went gliding this week in Angus. Additional activities on the wish list include hiking/rolling and fishing.

"We live in such a community where there's so much available and so many sports," says Abbott-Kokosin, happy that the members of the organization will be able to explore more of what the area has to offer.

Boccia, an inclusive form of bocce that is played from a seating position, was demonstrated by members of Breaking Down Barriers to highlight some of the activities that will be offered with the new funding.

Duncan Newman, a volunteer with the Trillium Foundation, offered his congratulations to the team.

"Funding organizations like this helps us fulfill our prime mandate to build healthier and more vibrant communities in Ontario," he says.

Councillor Kathy Jeffery is excited to be part of an inclusive community. She says she's excited to have the opportunity to curl with a schoolmate who was never able to do so before.

Jonathan Brown, a track and field competitor who won the Personal Best in the 100-metre run at a track meet this month in Windsor. "The money we are getting from Trillium will provide equipment for all of us and get more coaches so we can do it," he says. "It's going to allow us to expand what we already have, what I started with."

Brown joined Breaking Down Barriers two years ago. He follows his mother's advice religiously:
"If you want something, go out and get it." He hopes the funding will give him and others a chance to get what they want from life. "It gives more outlets to your life and more gratification," he says.

"They don't know what they can do if it's not out there."