Mackay is building momentum for inclusive sport
In Mackay, inclusion is not treated as a moment. It’s being built through community leadership, local partnerships, and a clear focus on practical change.
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) provided a timely opportunity for the Mackay community to come together – with council staff, community members, advocates and local leaders gathering to reflect on accessibility, celebrate contribution, and strengthen the region’s commitment to belonging.
A community event centred on inclusion
Mackay Regional Council hosted its annual IDPwD celebration as both a formal recognition and a community gathering. Mayor Greg Williamson addressed attendees, reinforcing the importance of a community where people with disability are valued, included, and empowered – and highlighting Council’s ongoing commitment to building a more accessible Mackay.
The event also showcased the depth of local talent and community voice. A performance by the Choir of Unheard Voices captured a strong sense of unity, while a local artist living with disability shared her work ahead of an upcoming exhibition – a reminder that inclusion is reflected not only in sport, but across community life.
Sport4All in partnership with Mackay Regional Council
As part of the celebrations, Sport4All Inclusion Coach Kristy Bugeja spoke about the Sport4All program and its focus on supporting clubs, schools, and community organisations to create inclusive sport environments.
Sport4All helps organisations strengthen their knowledge, challenge assumptions, and remove barriers so more people can participate in sport in the way they choose – whether that’s playing, coaching, volunteering, officiating, or contributing behind the scenes.
Kristy’s message resonated strongly throughout the event. Conversations continued well beyond the formal program, reflecting a strong local appetite to build sporting communities where everyone belongs.
Visibility that helps grow local change
Inclusive sport builds through local relationships – and it grows faster when communities can see what is possible.
The week’s celebrations received significant local media attention, helping amplify messages of inclusion across the region. Sport4All’s partnership with Mackay Regional Council was featured on 7NEWS, and Kristy’s work was further shared through interviews with ABC Radio, creating broader awareness and inviting more clubs and community members into the conversation.
One message stood out clearly in the 7NEWS coverage, as Mayor Greg Williamson said:
“Sport is one of the great levellers. It’s something that everybody should be able to do.”
Why this matters in regional communities
For many people with disability, sport should be a natural part of community life – but access, confidence, equipment, and inclusive practice can still be barriers, particularly in regional areas.
Kristy’s lived experience reflects what many people in regional communities know first-hand: opportunity can exist, but it is not always easy to find – and it often requires clubs and systems to be willing to adapt. Through Sport4All, local organisations are supported with practical tools and guidance to build that capability over time.
Looking ahead
What’s happening in Mackay reflects something important – inclusive sport is not a “nice to have”. It is community-building work that strengthens participation, connection, and belonging.
With Mackay Regional Council, Sport4All will continue supporting local clubs and organisations to take practical steps towards inclusion – so more people with disability can participate in sport, when, where, and how they choose.
Inclusive sport in regional communities is built through relationships, local leadership, and ongoing conversations. For a deeper look at what this work can involve on the ground in Mackay, check out Kristy Bugeja’s reflections from the Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN) Forum.
Related Blogs
