By Disability Sports Australia Media Team
New Partnership Enhances Access to Softball for Australians with Disability
Softball Australia and Disability Sports Australia (DSA) are proud to announce a new partnership through DSA’s Sports Incubator Program, reinforcing both organisations’ commitment to making sport more accessible and inclusive for people with disability.
This collaboration marks an important step in Softball Australia’s journey to strengthen diversity and inclusion across all levels of the sport. Through the partnership, DSA will support Softball Australia to build capability across its workforce, promote inclusive participation pathways, and foster environments where people with disability feel welcome—both on and off the field.
Softball Australia will receive tailored support through the program, including a disability inclusion workshop, co-branded promotion of DSA’s Accessibility Champion course, and opportunities to activate at inclusive sport events across the country through the Abilities Unleashed program.
Clare Walker, General Manager Game Development at Softball Australia said
“This partnership allows us to better equip our community with the tools, knowledge and confidence to be more inclusive,” “It also aligns with our broader efforts to expand participation and ensure everyone feels welcome in the sport.”
Ayden Shaw, Chief Executive Officer at Disability Sports Australia, added:
“We’re excited to support Softball Australia through the Sports Incubator Program to create more inclusive opportunities for people with disability to access and enjoy the great sport of softball. As the sport builds momentum toward its return to the Olympic stage in Los Angeles 2028, now is the perfect time to ensure that softball is welcoming and accessible to everyone, at every level of participation.”
As part of the agreement, Softball Australia will be recognised as a member of the Sports Incubator program and join other National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) like Badminton Australia and the NRL in taking meaningful steps towards embedding accessibility and inclusion into their operations.
Both organisations will also collaborate to bring Home Run Heroes to Abilities Unleashed events. Home Run Heroes is a fun, modified version of softball designed to introduce children to the sport in an engaging and inclusive way. Abilities Unleashed delivers sport introduction days for people with disability across Australia, engaging over 3,000 participants last year alone through events held in more than 60 communities nationwide.
By featuring Home Run Heroes at these events, more people will have the opportunity to experience the physical, social and mental benefits that softball can offer in a welcoming environment.
Disability Sports Australia will also provide strategic guidance, assist with content and accessibility reviews, and work closely with Softball Australia to amplify the stories of impact created through this collaboration.
The Sports Incubator Program is Disability Sports Australia’s flagship initiative, providing tailored support to National Sporting Organisations (NSOs) to develop inclusive programs and pathways.
This program helps embed inclusion into every aspect of sporting organisations, from policy development to participation.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Softball Australia
Clare Walker
General Manager-Game Development,
Email: [email protected]
Disability Sports Australia:
Ayden Shaw
CEO,
Email: [email protected]
About Softball Australia
Softball Australia is the national governing body for the sport of softball in Australia. Affiliated with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), and the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) we work in collaboration with our State and Territory member associations to promote, develop, and manage softball across the country. With over 24000 registered members Softball Australia is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment to ensure everyone has a place in sport.
About Disability Sports Australia
Disability Sports Australia (DSA) is a national non-profit, registered charity, and National Sporting Organisation for people with disability, dedicated to increasing participation in grassroots sport.
For over 60 years, DSA has been at the forefront of disability sport in Australia, starting with wheelchair sports and continually expanding opportunities for people with disability across the country. Today, DSA is disability-agnostic, focusing on building the capability of sports organisations to ensure inclusive and accessible opportunities for people with disability.
Our goal is to raise awareness of the positive impact sport can have, remove barriers to participation, and build a future where sport is inclusive for all Australians.
