Bringing inclusive sport into the community
Inclusive sport in Albury was brought into focus at the 2026 Youth Expo, where Sport4All connected directly with young people, families, schools and local organisations.
Held at QEII Square, the event created a space for young people aged 12-24 to explore opportunities across sport, recreation and wellbeing. For Sport4All, it was a chance to ensure disability inclusion was visible, practical and part of everyday conversations.
Sport4All Inclusion Coach Marnie Shannon, alongside National Support Officer Fiona Kleinitz, used the day to engage with the community and demonstrate how inclusion can be built into local sport environments.
Starting with simple, practical changes
A consistent message throughout the day was that inclusive sport does not need to be complex.
Conversations at the Sport4All stall focused on practical actions that clubs and schools can take immediately, including:
- Modifying equipment to suit different needs
- Adapting rules to support participation
- Asking participants what they need to take part
These are small changes, but they can significantly reduce barriers for young people with disability who want to be involved in sport.
By focusing on what is already possible, rather than what is missing, the approach helped shift how inclusion is understood at a local level.
Showing inclusion in action
Hands-on activities played a key role in bringing these ideas to life.
Bucket golf was one of the standout activities, encouraging movement, interaction and participation across different ability levels. What stood out was how participants engaged with the activity.
Young people and families naturally adapted the game themselves, changing distances and adjusting rules to suit different needs. This reinforced an important principle of inclusive sport – flexibility.
When environments allow for adaptation, more people can participate in ways that work for them.
Building confidence for clubs and schools
For many community clubs and schools, one of the biggest barriers to inclusion is uncertainty.
The Youth Expo helped address this by providing clear, practical examples. Instead of focusing on theory, the conversations were grounded in real-world application.
This gave clubs and schools the confidence to start making changes now, rather than waiting for additional resources or formal programs.
Strengthening inclusive sport in Albury
Events like the Youth Expo play an important role in strengthening inclusive sport in Albury.
They bring together different parts of the community, from local government and youth services to sporting clubs and families. This creates shared understanding and encourages collaboration.
By being present in these spaces, Sport4All supports a more connected approach to inclusion – one where disability inclusion is embedded within community sport, not treated as a separate initiative.
What this means for local sport
For clubs and schools across Albury, the takeaway is clear.
Inclusion can start with small, practical steps. It does not require a full program redesign or specialist knowledge to begin.
By focusing on flexibility, communication and simple adjustments, more young people can see sport as a place where they belong.
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