Who gets to play? The push for disability inclusion in sport

Sport is often described as the great equaliser. But for many Australians with disability, the promise of inclusion has long fallen short of reality. The Play Well Strategy, a national plan to reimagine participation in sport, is aiming to change that.

Launched in late 2023, Play Well was built on a simple but powerful idea: everyone deserves a place in sport. The initiative was co-designed through community roadshows, public surveys and workshops to ensure it wasn’t just another top-down policy but one shaped by the people who live with the barriers every day.

A stronger focus on disability inclusion

Last week, the Australian Sports Commission took the strategy a step further by forming the Play Well Disability Sport Advisory Group, bringing Paralympians, veterans, researchers and advocates to the table to make sure disability voices are central.

Among the new members is Rachel Kerrigan, a veteran and Invictus Games competitor. For her, inclusion isn’t abstract—it’s life-changing.

“Sport gave me purpose, connection, and a path forward when I needed it most,” Kerrigan said.

Her story is a reminder of what’s at stake. Sport isn’t just about medals and podiums — it can be a pathway to recovery, belonging and community.

Why play well matters

Australia has a proud history in disability sport, from its first Paralympic team in 1960 to hosting the Games in 2000. Yet participation rates still lag behind the broader population: only 52% of adults with disability are active at least three times a week, compared with more than 64% of Australians without disability.

That gap is what Play Well is designed to close. The strategy doesn’t just talk about numbers, but about reshaping culture, improving access, and supporting the volunteers and coaches who keep grassroots sport alive.

As Dr Phil Hamdorf, Chair of Disability Sports Australia, put it:

“The Play Well Sport Participation Strategy has the potential to become a significant sector influencer. We need to support the people who make sport possible … to achieve our vision – that everyone has a place in sport.”

Beyond access: creating better experiences

Researchers involved in the strategy are also pushing back against a narrow focus on participation targets.

“It’s not about more numbers but a positive and enjoyable experience that fosters continued participation and impacts positive health and wellbeing,” said Professor Rochelle Eime, from Federation University.

That message matters. True inclusion isn’t just about opening the door; it’s about making sure people want to stay.

A strategy with momentum

In just over a year, Play Well has gained real traction. A national leadership group is driving the work, more than 17 partner organisations have signed on, and project squads are tackling issues from sporting costs to cultural change.

The Disability Sport Advisory Group adds another layer of accountability and representation, ensuring that people with disability aren’t just part of the conversation but central to it.

With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, the Play Well Strategy offers a timely reminder that Australia’s sporting legacy can’t just be measured in medals. It must also be measured in inclusion.