At Empowered Liveability, our sponsorship of all-abilities teams is rooted in a simple truth: participation in sport is not just about physical activity, it’s about belonging, resilience and well-being – mental and physical. When athletes of all abilities get the chance to partake, compete, belong and shine, everyone wins.
Sport has long been heralded as a vehicle for healthy living, community connection and personal growth. Yet far too often, athletes with disabilities are marginalised: treated as “apart” rather than “as” athletes. These individuals — whether in local all-abilities leagues or on the international stage — deserve the same respect, admiration and support we accord mainstream athletes. Their feats are no less impressive.
For example, the elite para-sport movement receives sponsorship and support, but historically it has lagged behind its able-bodied equivalent. Paralympics Australia highlights that fundraising and corporate partnerships are critical to ensuring athletes with disability can reach their potential. And it’s not just elite: at the grassroots level, inclusive programs operated by mainstream sporting bodies are creating pathways and opportunities. For example, Touch Football Australia’s All Abilities program offers inclusive entry for individuals with intellectual and/or physical impairments to learn the sport alongside family, friends and carers.
Why all-abilities leagues matter
• Physical health: Regular sport helps with cardiovascular fitness, strength, coordination, mobility.
• Mental well-being: Belonging to a team, having goals, celebrating progress – these build self-esteem, reduce isolation and can help combat mental health challenges.
• Community inclusion: All-abilities leagues send a powerful message: everyone deserves a place on the field, court or pitch.
• Talent development and visibility: Inclusive sport helps identify and nurture athletic talent, supports pathways into elite disability sport, and helps shift public perception of disability.
• Corporate and community impact: By sponsoring or supporting all-abilities leagues, organisations like ours help prompt cultural change and show that inclusion isn’t optional, it’s essential.
How we can do better in supporting all-abilities sport
1. Sponsorship & funding – Channels that are typical for able-bodied sport (uniforms, equipment, travel, competition fees) must be equally accessible for all-abilities teams. Even understanding accessibility of sporting unforms and designing not only uniforms but supporter merchandise that addresses this can do wonders to a person’s sense of inclusion.
2. Infrastructure & access – Ensure facilities (venues, equipment, transportation) are truly accessible. Partner with inclusive clubs and associations. Providing sensory spaces for both athletes and spectators at venues has innumerable benefits.
3. Visibility & storytelling – Promote the stories of athletes with disabilities. Media coverage, corporate communications, community newsletters give athletes with disabilities the platform they deserve. For instance, mainstream media sponsorship of Paralympics Australia by News Corp Australia was recently extended to amplify para-athlete stories.
4. Partnerships with mainstream sport bodies – Collaborate with state and national bodies to build inclusive programs within existing sporting structures (e.g., all-abilities cricket, soccer, basketball).
5. Workforce & volunteer training – Coaches and administrators need training in inclusive practices, understanding different impairments and creating safe, enabling environments.
6. Pathways for athletes – Provide clear pathways from community all-abilities leagues into higher-level disability sport and elite competition.
7. Measure and communicate impact – Track outcomes: participation rates, wellbeing outcomes, retention of athletes with disability. Use data to advocate for even more support.
Where to find all-abilities leagues around Australia
Here are some excellent resources and starting points for inclusion in sport across Australia:
• Access for All Abilities Play (aaaplay) in Victoria: a free information and referral service for people with disability looking to get involved in sport and recreation. Sport and Recreation Victoria
• All-Abilities programs by mainstream sport bodies: e.g. Basketball Victoria offers an “All Abilities” program for people with physical, intellectual or social challenges. Basketball Victoria
• Sports4All in New South Wales runs inclusive teams in softball, touch football and ten-pin bowling, and supports athletes with intellectual disability. Inclusive Sport NSW
• Club-based programs: e.g. Football Victoria lists an “All Abilities Soccer Academy” for children and adults with disability. Disability Football
• Sporting Wheelies is a leader in sport and healthy activity for people with a disability based in Queensland they provide a space for not only therapy but sports activity and training for athletes. Sporting Wheelies
• National bodies: e.g. Paralympics Australia provides partnership and fundraising opportunities. Partnering with Paralympics
Empowered Liveability chooses to sponsor all-abilities teams because we genuinely believe inclusion in sport is a driver of liveability, and liveability means everyone gets to participate, compete, belong and thrive. Let’s shift the mindset: athletes with disability are not “other,” they are athletes. Together let’s commit to better support all-abilities sport, at every level. The return isn’t only measured in medals but in lives changed, communities strengthened, and respect earned.
