Capability

Building Inclusive Sport Clubs Course

Building Inclusive Sport Clubs is a free Disability Sports Australia course that gives community sport club volunteers and administrators practical tools to create more opportunities for people with disability to take part in sport.

The course combines lived experience, practical examples and real scenarios to help clubs improve accessibility and increase participation.

Every person with disability should be able to take part in sport in an accessible and welcoming environment.

The Principles behind the Course

The course is grounded in one principle:

“Nothing about us without us.”

Circular inclusion framework graphic showing three connected principles for inclusive sport. At the top, a gear icon represents "Start with Universal Design" with text explaining that accessibility is planned from the beginning so everyone can take part. On the left, an illustration of two people, one using a wheelchair, represents "Co-Design With Community" with text about working alongside people with lived experience of disability to shape decisions, programs and opportunities. On the right, an icon of people supported by open hands represents "Inclusion Is Everyone's Business" with text explaining that increasing participation is a shared responsibility across clubs, communities and sport organisations. Green arrows connect the three principles in a continuous cycle

Our Approach

 

Many clubs want to increase participation opportunities for people with disability but are unsure where to begin.

This course provides practical guidance that clubs can apply in their own environments.

Disability Sports Australia developed these modules in partnership with Victoria University and the Australian Sports Commission.

The course was co-designed by women with lived experience of disability and created for clubs looking to improve accessibility and participation.

Panel discussion with speakers at a Disability Sports Australia workshop

The Issue

Barriers to Participation

People with disability continue to experience physical, social and attitudinal barriers in sport.

Underrepresentation

People with disability remain underrepresented as participants, employees, volunteers and leaders across sport.

Where to Start

Many clubs want to create more opportunities but are unsure what practical steps to take first.

What You Will Learn

How to use person-centred language in sport settings

How to design programs that welcome people with disability from the start.

How to increase participation in your club.

How rights and advocacy apply in sport.

Course Impact to Date

90%

rate their understanding of disability high or very high after completing the course.

97%

say the course added value to their Accessibility Champion learning.

127

people have completed the course.

Start and Complete the Course

There are two ways to explore the course.

Fully Certified Course

Complete the full course through the Australian Sports Commission Learning Centre.

The course takes around 40 minutes and can be completed at your own pace on any device.

Participants receive recognition through the Learning Centre on completion.

New learners will need to create a free account before starting.

The teaser modules provide an introduction to some of the key ideas covered in the course. These are not certified.

Teaser Modules

Young man wearing an orange training bib holding a green and white soccer ball on an outdoor court.

Module 1

Expanding accessibility in your club.

Module 2

Attraction and retention of people with disability as employees and volunteers.

Module 3

Championing for people with disability.

Real People, Real Experiences

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and experiences to help bring the Building Inclusive Sport Clubs modules to life.

Jessi Hooper

Building Inclusive Sports Clubs Facilitator
Three men smiling on an indoor sports court, two wearing purple and yellow sports jackets, one in a black suit

Colin, Richard and Greg

South Oakleigh Bowls Club
A woman wearing a blue shirt and black jacket, smiling while seated on an indoor sports court.

Tanya Thomas

Frankston and District Basketball Association.
A smiling woman in a bright pink top sitting in a wheelchair on a sports court.

Elle Steele PLY

Building Inclusive Sports Clubs Project Manager
Thank you

Meet Our Contributors

Thank you to the women with lived experience of disability who helped design and develop the Building Inclusive Sport Clubs modules.

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a dark jacket, smiling slightly with a blurred outdoor background

Melissa Hale

A woman with wavy, reddish-brown hair smiling, wearing a yellow and grey top, with framed pictures in the background.

Kerri Duff

A smiling woman wearing a navy sports polo shirt with logos, standing against a light grey background.

Sarah Stewart PLY

A smiling woman in a bright pink top sitting in a wheelchair on a sports court.

Elle Steele PLY

Start with the Basics

Accessibility Champion is a free Disability Sports Australia course that helps clubs and leisure providers remove barriers to participation for people with disability.

Building Inclusive Sport Clubs builds on that foundation with practical tools that can be applied in your club.

Two people playing tennis together on an outdoor court. Accessibility Champion logo and partner logos appear on the right.