National and State-Based Programs and Support

National and State-Based Programs and Support

Australia has a robust support system to help sporting clubs become more inclusive. Whether through funding, training, or partnerships, clubs should tap into these national and state-based programs:

• Sport4All (Australia-wide): Sport4All is a national initiative (developed by Paralympian Dylan Alcott’s team in partnership with the Australian government) specifically aimed at helping clubs and schools include people with disability. Clubs can enrol in the Sport4All program for free​. sport4all.com.au

• Driving Social Inclusion through Sport (Federal Grants): The Australian Department of Social Services has offered grant programs (like the 2020–2021 initiative that funded Down Syndrome Australia’s “Get Active” program​. downsyndrome.org.au

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• Disability Sports Australia (DSA) and State Bodies: Disability Sports Australia is the national peak body for sport for people with disabilities. They and their state affiliates (like Disability Sports NSW, Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association QLD, Disability Recreation & Sports SA, etc.) run programs and can advise clubs. For example, DSA’s Activate Inclusion Sports Days are events where kids with disabilities try out a range of sports and then get referred to local clubs​. clearinghouseforsport.gov.au.

• State Government Initiatives: Many state sport and recreation departments have inclusion strategies. For example, the VicHealth and Vicsport bodies in Victoria have run campaigns like “Are You on Board?” to encourage clubs to embrace diversity​. aaaplay.org.au
  ​In New South Wales, the Her Sport Her Way program (while focused on women and girls) intersects with disability when encouraging intersectional inclusion. Queensland has inclusion training embedded in its coaching accreditation for some sports. Check your state’s Office of Sport or Sport and Rec websites for resources: some publish toolkits, case studies, and even offer inclusion awards or accreditation for clubs meeting certain standards. Pursuing an “Inclusive Club” recognition (if available) can be motivating for your club and serves as public marketing that you’re welcoming to all.

• Inclusive Sport in Schools Programs: While not directly clubs, programs that run in schools – such as Sporting Schools initiatives for students with intellectual disability or the Inclusive Sport in Schools program mentioned by Sport Australia (which improved outcomes for students with intellectual disability and autism through tailored PE delivery​)  can be a feeder into clubs. Be aware of what’s happening at your local schools. If a school has an inclusive sports day, see if your club can send some representatives or co-host a clinic. This helps create a pathway from a supported school environment to community sport. Special schools or units often look for local clubs to refer their keen students to; if your club is known to be inclusive, they’ll send families your way.