Changing Lives Through Sport
Changing Lives Through Sport was Disability Sports Australia’s national grassroots disability sport storytelling campaign, delivered in November 2025.
The Challenge
Despite the proven benefits of sport, too many Australians with disability are still left out — missing out on health, confidence and connection.
Changing Lives Through Sport was created in response to this participation gap.
1 in 5
1 in 5 Australians live with disability, yet many are left on the sidelines — missing out on health, confidence, and connection.
Only 25% of Australians with disability take part in sport or physical activity once a week.
People with disability are 60% less likely to meet national physical activity guidelines compared to people without disability.
The Campaign
Changing Lives Through Sport was Australia’s first national grassroots disability sport storytelling campaign.
Delivered across November 2025, the campaign premiered three powerful stories, released weekly, each highlighting how inclusive sport builds confidence, connection and community.
Alongside these stories, a national call-out encouraged people with disability, their friends, families and the sporting community to share their own experiences — creating a growing, visible archive of lived experience from across the country.
The campaign is aligned to Play Well – Australia’s Sport Participation Strategy.
Sport has the power to change lives — this campaign shows how
The Stories
James Summerhayes
Through Special Olympics, James found routine, confidence and a sense of belonging. Training, competing and making friends matter as much as medals.
Harriet Caldwell
After acquiring a disability, Harriet discovered wheelchair basketball through her physio. What began as therapy grew into confidence, friendship and a pathway to the National League.
Rae Anderson PLY
A chance encounter at school led Rae from grassroots sport to becoming a Paralympian and Para Matilda. She now mentors young athletes and helps shape programs for people with disability.
National Impact Snapshot
1.19 million
people reached through national media
digital campaign impressions
social video views during the campaign period
10,000+
people clicked through to learn more about opportunities in sport
national media features across TV, print and online
In earned media value
Share Your Story
The campaign invited people from across Australia to share how sport has shaped their lives — creating a growing national collection of lived experience.
Lives changed- and counting.
Share your story through our Changing Lives Story Hub.
How It Worked
This campaign combined authentic storytelling with digital participation to create nationwide impact
Weekly Story Releases
Three flagship video stories were released weekly throughout November 2025, showcasing how sport changes lives in different contexts across Australia.
Campaign Hub
A dedicated online campaign hub hosted a dynamic wall of stories, bringing together contributions from people with disability, their families and the sporting community nationwide.
National Reach & Visibility
In partnership with supporters, the campaign amplified every story through coordinated media outreach and targeted digital promotion, extending reach and visibility nationally.
Promoting Participation
The campaign worked with sporting partners to raise awareness of participation pathways, helping people with disability understand how and where they can get involved in sport.
Where the Stories Were Seen
Partnership Opportunities
Changing Lives Through Sport was delivered late last year as Australia’s first grassroots campaign celebrating how sport changes lives for people with disability.
The campaign was supported by partners who shared our vision and contributed across a range of partnership roles. An outline of the partnership roles that supported the campaign is provided below.
Naming Rights Partner
Lead the campaign with exclusive naming rights and visibility across all activity.
Story Presenting Partner
From $10,000
Present one of the three campaign stories — with very limited availability — gaining visibility across video, social and media promotion.
Storytelling Platform Partner
From $7,500
Gain exclusive recognition on the digital storytelling platform where people with disability, their families and the sporting community share their own stories.
Campaign Supporter
From $1000
Join as a recognised supporter of Australia’s first grassroots disability sport storytelling campaign and demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to inclusion.
The Changing Lives Through Sport campaign was proudly funded by the Australian Sports Commission, through a Play Well Participation Grant. Play Well – Australia’s Sport Participation Strategy aims to create safe, welcoming, inclusive and enjoyable sporting environments for everyone.
Presenting and Platform Partners
Campaign Supporters
