Accessible Sports in Australia: Creating Opportunities for People with Disability
Kelly Hamlyn
Sport4All Sport Inclusion Coach - South Australia
5 Councils, 5 Sports, 1 Goal - Creating Opportunities for People with Disability to Participate in Sport.
I was fortunate to be part of the Murraylands IMPAC (Integrated Murraylands Physical Activity Committee) Inclusive Sports Event on 9th October 2024. This incredible event highlighted the growing movement toward accessible sports in Australia and was designed to address the community’s desire for more opportunities for children with disability to participate in sport.
It brought together five regional councils: The Rural City of Murray Bridge, Southern Mallee District Council, Coorong District Council, District Council of Karoonda East Murray, and the Mid Murray Council.
The event showcased accessible sports in Australia, with five sports offering children the opportunity to explore new activities or engage more deeply with their favourites. Staff from Tennis SA, Country Basketball SA, SANFL, SACA, and Football SA excelled in creating a welcoming environment, demonstrating how simple adjustments can make sports inclusive for everyone.
It was heartwarming to see children fully engaged in the sports of their choice, while their parents and carers shared stories about the challenges they face when accessing inclusive opportunities in regional South Australia.
Breaking Barriers in Accessible Sports
During conversations with parents and carers, a recurring concern was raised about insurance requirements for player registration. Misunderstandings surrounding these requirements often act as barriers to accessible sports in Australia for individuals with disability.
While this misconception may have started with good intentions to ‘protect’ people with disability, it ultimately reinforces ableism. It implies that people with disability cannot make decisions about their own participation, stripping them of choice and autonomy.
The recent Paralympics demonstrated the immense skill, determination, and resilience of athletes with disability, proving beyond doubt that disability is not a barrier to participation in sport. Society must stop acting as a gatekeeper, deciding what individuals with disability can and cannot do. Removing societal barriers is critical for fostering accessible sports environments where everyone, regardless of ability, can thrive.
Empowering Communities Through the Sport4All Program
Accessible sports in Australia are about more than physical changes to equipment or facilities; they also require addressing unconscious biases and challenging misconceptions. This is where the Sport4All Program comes in. By exploring how biases impact decisions and learning to create inclusive environments, clubs and schools can break down barriers and foster a sense of belonging for everyone.
I am passionate about the Sport4All Program because it empowers communities to embrace accessibility and inclusion. If you want to make your club or school more inclusive, the Sport4All Program is an excellent starting point.
Together, we can expand accessible sports in Australia, creating opportunities for everyone to participate and thrive, regardless of their abilities.
Interested in making sports in your community more accessible? Learn more about the Sport4All Program and how it can help your club or school lead the way in inclusivity.
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