On the start line in Truscott Street Public School hall, Year 3 Roselea Public School student Jenessa H had only one message for the caped NSW Waratah mascot standing next to her.

“Tah Man is going down,” she said.

In a few short seconds, Jenessa had crossed the finish line ahead of an out-of-breath “Tah Man”.

The hijinx were part of the annual special sports day – which features a friendly yet competitive series of races involving support unit students from Truscott Street and Roselea public schools along with elite athletes.

For the past 16 years elite sportspeople including Australian cricketers Ian Chappell and Doug Walters, netballer Liz Ellis and Paralympian Louise Sauvage have attended the day to support, cheer and in some cases push the wheelchair-bound students in races held inside Truscott Street Public’s hall.

Event founder and organiser Tom Organ, a specialist PDHPE teacher who works with support unit students at the two primary schools, said the day was about giving the students “the opportunity to be the stars in front of everybody else”.

Mr Organ, a former Australian and NSW baseballer, has used his contacts within the sporting world to enlist a growing number of athletes and identities to help out on the day.

“One of the reasons why I wanted these younger athletes to come into the school is because their appearance is so healthy,” Mr Organ said. “They are magnificent-looking athletes and so positive, I wanted the day to be surrounded with a positive feel.”

This year members of the Sydney Swans AFL team, Wests Tigers rugby league team, Sydney Swifts netball team, Cricket NSW and NSW Lacrosse squads were among the special guests.

Personal trainer from The Biggest Loser television series Shannan Ponton was another high-profile visitor to the school and assisted some of the students in their races.

“I came along last year and it was one of the highlights of the year,” Mr Ponton said.

“I find it very important to see the look in their eyes, to see their faces smiling, it’s so exciting for the joy it brings to the kids.”

Truscott Street Public’s relieving principal Michelle Shannon said the day increased the participating students’ confidence and inspired mainstream students.

“The support students get in and have a real go to the best of their ability and our mainstream students see that and it encourages them to do their best as well,” Mrs Shannon said.

“And the looks on some of the students’ faces when they have an elite athlete pushing them in their wheelchair are amazing.”