Disability Sports Australia

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Disability Sports Australia Participation doesn't happen by chance. We build the capability of sport so people with disability can take part across Australia.

10/17/2026

“The kids basically inspired us as parents.” 🏉

For 13-year-old Hugh, wheelchair footy has brought friendships, growing confidence and a newfound passion for sport.

His mum, Nic, has seen that change firsthand.

What started as a small group of kids in 2020 has grown considerably over five years. As Nic explains, the kids inspired their parents to create more opportunities to play, with the AFL backing the program in recent years.

More kids are returning each year, some now with their own sports chairs. And the parents have found their own community along the way.

We caught up with Hugh and Nic at the Toyota Australia AFL Open to hear about the friendships, growing confidence and families helping make wheelchair footy possible. 🧡

AFL Victoria | AFL PLAY | Victorian Wheelchair Football League | Freedom Sports Foundation Australian Sports Commission

When was the last time an Australian football team entered a World Cup as defending champions?We'll wait. 🇦🇺The CommBank...
10/17/2026

When was the last time an Australian football team entered a World Cup as defending champions?

We'll wait. 🇦🇺

The CommBank CommBank ParaMatildas have just opened their title defence with a thumping 19–0 win over Ireland.

Next up: Colombia 🇨🇴

📅 Sunday 18 October, 1am AEDT
📺 SBS On Demand and IFCPF YouTube

Go Tillies. 💚💛

📷 Football Australia | IFCPF (CP Football)

10/16/2026

“For me, sport is so much more than sport itself. It's about finding your place in the world.”

For Max Bailey-Jensen, growing up with cerebral palsy, sport has given him a place to challenge himself, build friendships and be part of something bigger.

Now pursuing boccia, Max speaks about the confidence he's gained, the community that believes in him and the dreams he has for his future.

And as Max says, you never know what someone might achieve when they're given the chance to participate.

How has sport changed your life?

Add your story to the Changing Lives Through Sport wall. Link in bio.

Boccia Australia | Australian Sports Commission | Cerebral Palsy Alliance | The University of Queensland

10/16/2026

“How do you promote something if you don't have pictures?”

When Elyse Hudson joined the wheelchair AFL competition in Western Australia, she noticed nobody was photographing the games.

So she picked up a camera and started doing it herself.

What started as taking photos between games has since taken Elyse across the country, photographing competitions including the National Wheelchair Basketball League and the Toyota AFL Open.

But wheelchair football has given her much more than a career in sports photography.

“My best mates play footy. My mates just happen to use wheelchairs or have physical disabilities.”

For Elyse, the friendships she's made through wheelchair football have become family.

We caught up with Elyse at the toyot AFL Open to hear how it all started and what the sporting community means to her.

AFL PLAY | WA All Abilities Football | Wheelchair Basketball Australia | Women Sport Australia

10/16/2026

We're not quite Evie Wiggle , but we've got a special message for our friends at Special Olympics Australia . 😂

Good luck to everyone competing at next week's National Games in Melbourne. And don't forget to get your Virtual Torch. 🔥

10/15/2026

“If I didn't have wheelchair sports, I don't know where I would be in my rehabilitation.”

For Michael Telban, sport has become a huge part of his life following a workplace injury in 2024 that resulted in the loss of his leg.

While undergoing rehabilitation, Michael was invited to get involved in wheelchair football with Collingwood Football Club, the club he'd supported for years.

Two years on, he's still playing, has represented Victoria in wheelchair rugby league and speaks about how important sport and the community around it have been to his rehabilitation and life.

We caught up with Michael at the Toyota Australia AFL Open to hear about his experience, the community he's found and what wheelchair sport has meant to him.

AFL PLAY | AFL Victoria | Australian Sports Commission

10/15/2026

“It gave me a sense of belonging.”

For Andrew Harrison, sport has been about far more than medals and premierships.

A three-time Paralympian and three-time gold medallist in wheelchair rugby, Andrew has now coached Victoria to a fifth consecutive national wheelchair football title.

But it's what he says about finding sport after his accident that matters just as much. Being around people who shared his passion gave him the confidence to push himself further than he ever thought possible.

We caught up with Andrew at the Toyota Australia AFL Open to hear about his journey, what sport has given him and why he continues to give back.

Ten years of AFL Wheelchair. And another reminder of what sport can make possible.

AFL PLAY | Wheelchair Rugby Australia | AFL Victoria | Victorian Wheelchair Football League

Six years out from Brisbane 2032, are we doing enough to ensure people with disability can take part in sport in their o...
10/14/2026

Six years out from Brisbane 2032, are we doing enough to ensure people with disability can take part in sport in their own communities?

Our CEO Ayden Shaw spoke to Bridget McArthur at The Age about the potential impact of Australian Sports Commission (ASC) job cuts on smaller sporting organisations.

The ASC is facing a $15 million funding shortfall, with around 40 to 50 roles being cut. Its expertise has been incredibly valuable to organisations like ours, which don't always have the resources to do this work themselves.

At the same time, our Play Well funding has been reduced by almost 40%, from $217,000 to $135,000, following a reduction in federal funding for sport participation.

These pressures could compound, particularly in diversity and inclusion, where greater support is already needed. For DSA, that pressure extends beyond our organisation because we also help other sports create opportunities for people with disability.

Only 14% of adults with disability take part in sport each week. With ongoing questions about the NDIS and community participation, do we genuinely think we're making the right funding decisions when they're leaving sporting organisations with fewer resources?

Read the full article via the link: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/athletics/australia-at-risk-of-sports-brain-drain-ahead-of-home-olympics-as-ais-cuts-jobs-20261009-p612wm.html

10/13/2026

“I like playing with new people.” 🏉

And for Thomas Owens, sport has brought plenty of opportunities to do just that!

Living with cerebral palsy, Thomas is a proud Northern Territory representative, wheelchair football captain, athletics medallist, coach and mentor who is helping others discover sport.

We caught up with Thomas and his support worker at the Toyota Australia AFL Open to hear about the friendships, experiences and people who keep bringing him back each year.

Ten years of AFL Wheelchair. And a reminder that what happens beyond the scoreboard matters just as much. 🧡

AFL Northern Territory | AFL PLAY

Address

PO Box 4016
Derry, NH
3038

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+61287361220

Website

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