Inclusion happens naturally in the Great Southern, WA
IDPwD in the Great Southern, WA
Across Western Australia’s Great Southern region, International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) provided an opportunity for local communities to come together around inclusive sport – with events in Albany and Denmark showcasing what’s possible when participation is practical, welcoming, and community-led.
Across both events, schools, sporting clubs, families, volunteers and community organisations created environments where more people could join in, connect, and feel part of the experience.
Albany: Participation and connection
The Albany All-Abilities Festival brought together people of all ages and abilities to experience sport and movement in an environment designed around participation and fun. Activities encouraged everyone to get involved, with clubs and volunteers supporting participants to try new sports, build confidence, and connect with others.
Moments like these reinforce a simple truth – inclusive sport does not require complex systems or specialised environments. It starts with openness, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt.
Denmark: A community-wide all-abilities festival
In Denmark, the Riverside Club hosted an all-abilities festival in partnership with APM Communities, delivering a full program that reflected the strength and diversity of the local community.
Participants took part in dragon boat rides, rowing sessions with the Denmark Rowing Club, and inclusive lawn bowls activities. A friendly competition between the WA Blind Bowlers Association and the Denmark Lawn Bowls Club became a standout moment – drawing spectators and sparking conversations about accessibility and adaptation in community sport.
Beyond sport, the event also featured chair yoga, face painting, live music, keynote speakers, and a shared dinner for 50 guests – reinforcing that inclusion extends beyond the playing field and into how communities gather, socialise, and celebrate together.
Inclusion on the water
One of the most visible moments from the Denmark event unfolded on the water with the Denmark Dragon Boat Club, whose inclusive approach was featured on 7NEWS Regional WA.
Families and volunteers worked side by side to support participants to safely take part in dragon boating. Club members adapted on the spot, responding to individual needs and ensuring people could be involved without being singled out or treated differently.
As highlighted in the coverage, inclusion in this setting wasn’t about special treatment – it was about belonging. Simple adjustments, teamwork, and a shared mindset made it possible for people of all abilities to experience the energy and connection of a team-based sport.
Sport4All in the Great Southern
Sport4All was proud to support these events, with Inclusion Coach Roger D’Souza working alongside local clubs, community organisations, and volunteers across the region.
By supporting clubs to think differently about participation, equipment, communication, and environment, Sport4All helps inclusion become part of everyday sport – not a one-off activity or a separate program.
Why moments like this matter
IDPwD provides an important prompt to reflect, but the impact of events like these extends well beyond a single day. For participants, they offer confidence, connection, and new experiences. For clubs, they demonstrate that inclusive practice is achievable and sustainable when communities work together.
Across the Great Southern, these events showed that inclusive sport is strongest when it grows from local relationships, shared responsibility, and a genuine commitment to welcoming everyone.
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