Ingles To Fund Sensory Room at Fire Pit

South East Melbourne Phoenix are excited to be partnering Joe and Renae Ingles and KultureCity who will officially launch in Australia with a permanent sensory room at John Cain Arena.

KultureCity is a global organisation helping spread awareness on inclusion of all individuals by assisting businesses to become sensory certified. KultureCity provides the resources (such as staff training, sensory bags, app integration) needed for venues and businesses to develop them to becoming sensory certified.  

Renae and Joe Ingles will fund the construction and ongoing maintenance of the room, as Renae joins KultureCity as Executive Director. Joe is a champion of Australian basketball, having won bronze with the Boomers at the Tokyo Olympics and spending eight years so far in the NBA.

Joe and Renae have been strong advocates for inclusive spaces and have been on the board of KultureCity, a global organisation helping businesses become sensory certified and aware, for several years. 

(Each person will recieve a sensory pack.)

“We're excited to partner with KultureCity and bring their fantastic work to South East Melbourne Phoenix home games. At the Phoenix, we feel it's important to make sure everyone feels safe, supported, and included at the basketball," Phoenix CEO Tommy Greer said.

"The work and awareness that Joe and Renee Ingles are doing in this space is amazing, and we're excited to be working with them.

"We want everyone to feel included, creating opportunities to enjoy the game day experience. That goes for children who need the sensory room and their families.

"Minimising the distress of a child with sensory needs means their parents and siblings can also enjoy the game. These families often miss out on events like this; we want them to be able to have fun as a family."

While a sensory room is not entirely new to John Cain Arena, with Phoenix and United both using a ‘pop up’ sensory room available for fans at home games, a refurbished and permanent room will now be in operation for all events at John Cain Arena in future.

The multifunctional sensory rooms will allow adults and children to watch the games in a safe space while being able to take in all the live action at the arena, with a viewing window to the court. 

(The Sensory Room.)

Members of all organisations will also receive education about sensory rooms and individuals with sensory needs. 

“The NBL strongly promotes and encourages inclusion in all aspects of our game, as we look to make our League even more welcoming and accessible,” NBL Commissioner Jeremy Loeliger said.

“It is great to see sensory rooms and facilities already in operation at several of our arenas and with Kulture City now launching in Australia, I’m very hopeful that more education and training about sensory rooms and individuals with sensory needs will take place across the NBL community.”

Phoenix Media (15/12/22)