Previously involved with running All-Abilities Auskick, Scott Smith found that after stepping aside, parents began asking to do activities. Together with a group of friends, the idea of an All-Abilities Sports Club was put forward and then, six months later, the Geelong Stars was born.
The club runs with “no expectations, just have fun” each week is different and the focus is on participating, and how the kids do the activity is up to them.
Already, stories have emerged showing that participating in these programs has built up confidence, teachers have noticed the difference at school, and one mum even shared that her son made his first friend at school.
When the club started, it was all about the sports for the kids, but the biggest win has been the social inclusion for families. “We encourage siblings to join in and participate. When we ran Pickleball we had the kids, dad and grandma hitting the ball.”
The common story is, “we tried mainstream sports but walked away”. The model for these programs is multiple stations, small groups, fun activities and quick rotations. “How the activity is completed it doesn’t matter, just have fun and then hi five.”
Adaptability is essential. There was a participant in Learn to Ride who was struggling to pedal. The solution: “we took the bike to a local store and had the rear wheel changed to a lock axle, so now as we push the bike the pedals will turn teaching the participant how to pedal, then progress onto a free-wheeling bike.”
As the club continues to grow and show that everyone has the opportunity to participate, families see that they have a place where they can be part of a sporting club. In the next 12 months, the organisation will introduce more programs and family events.
“Too many kids try mainstream but walk away, our sessions are about participating, no expectations, just have fun.”
The Geelong All-Abilities Sports Club does not compete in any competitions, but they offer a variety of inclusive programs tailored for different age groups and abilities. Minis (ages 5 to 12) participate in sessions held on Mondays and Wednesdays, rotating through an assortment of sports each term – activities range from football and basketball to gymnastics, golf, and more. The Youth group, designed for members aged 12 to 18, gathers on Tuesdays, engaging in similar sports and friendly activities. Member Days introduce even more opportunities, including karate, boxing, pool days, BMX rides, and community events like the Cadel Evans Family Ride and sessions at Avalon Raceway.
Outside of structured sport, the Learn to Ride program runs every second Sunday and provides all the bikes needed for children to discover cycling at their own pace. The club also hosts Social Thursdays, a relaxed, welcoming evening where families can enjoy a meal, spend time together, and just feel part of the community. Membership covers access to all these programs, along with a t-shirt, hoodie, and backpack, helping to make participation as accessible and enjoyable as possible for each family involved.
For questions or to get involved, families are welcome to reach out and discover a place with “no expectations, just have fun.”