Disability Sports Australia Reveal “Abilities Unleashed” Sporting Schools Program

Disability Sports Australia has announced that its national multi-sport participation program, Abilities Unleashed, is now an officially admitted program within the Sporting Schools initiative.

The move embeds the program directly into the Australian education system, providing thousands of children with disability earlier and more consistent access to organised sport.

Over the past 12 months, Abilities Unleashed has demonstrated commercial and social impact, delivering 50 events to over 3,300 participants across 137 schools.

By joining the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) Sporting Schools portfolio, schools can now use government grant funding to cover program delivery costs, specialized equipment, and travel, effectively removing the primary financial barriers to entry.

Commenting on the program, CEO of Disability Sports Australia, Ayden Shaw, said: “For many children with disability, school is the first place they encounter organised sport, and access at this point matters.”

“Inclusion in Sporting Schools is significant because… it gives schools greater capacity to respond to tangible, practical barriers that can affect attendance,” Shaw said.

The program is designed as a “come and try” experience, connecting students with sensory, physical, and intellectual disabilities to local sporting organisations.

This model ensures that the initial school-based engagement translates into long-term community participation pathways. The decision was informed by Disability Sports Australia’s Barriers to Entry Survey, which highlighted the need for more inclusive environments and adaptive equipment in school settings.

Applications for Term 2 2026 funding are expected to open in late February, allowing schools to plan their Abilities Unleashed activations ahead of the mid-year launch.

Disability Sports Australia  is a national non-profit, registered charity, and National Sporting Organisation for people with disability, dedicated to increasing participation in grassroots sport.

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