ASAPD and Freedom Sports Foundation partner to strengthen inclusive sport opportunities across Australia
The Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Freedom Sports Foundation (FSF), marking a shared commitment to advancing inclusive sport, community participation and meaningful opportunities for people with disability across Australia.
ASAPD collaborates, advocates and facilitates inclusive sport and active recreation for people with disability, impairment or limitation, while Freedom Sports Foundation is a nationally registered charity headquartered in Victoria that is focused on breaking down barriers and creating meaningful opportunities for people living with disability through sport, education and connection. Founded by people with disability, athletes and families, Freedom delivers inclusive sport, education and community engagement programs across schools, communities and organisations throughout Australia.
The partnership reflects strong alignment between the two organisations, particularly in the areas of inclusive sport participation, advocacy, education, community awareness and practical pathways that support people with disability to belong and thrive.
Under the partnership, ASAPD and Freedom Sports Foundation will explore opportunities to collaborate across inclusive sport and participation initiatives, advocacy and awareness activities, school and education engagement, accessibility and community inclusion projects, workforce participation pathways, and broader national initiatives.
Both organisations are committed to ensuring inclusion is practical, visible and community-driven, with lived experience leadership playing a central role in shaping meaningful participation outcomes. This reflects Freedom Sports Foundation’s mission to foster inclusion through sport and ASAPD’s work to support more welcoming and inclusive sporting environments.
Dr Phil Hamdorf, CEO of ASAPD, said the partnership represents an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration across the disability sport sector and create practical outcomes for communities.
“This partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating more inclusive sporting environments and expanding opportunities for people with disability to participate, connect and thrive. By working together, ASAPD and Freedom Sports Foundation can build on each other’s strengths, support practical initiatives and help drive meaningful change in communities across Australia.”
Chris “Hendo” Henderson, Founder, Freedom Sports Foundation, said:
“At Freedom, we’ve always believed that sport has the power to change perceptions, build confidence and create genuine opportunities for people with disability.
As someone who has lived experience of disability and has personally experienced the impact that inclusive sport can have, I know how important strong partnerships are in creating lasting change.
Working alongside ASAPD gives us an opportunity to combine our strengths, reach more communities and create more pathways for people with disability to participate, connect and thrive through sport. We’re excited about what we can achieve together.”
Freedom Sports Foundation currently delivers inclusive sport, disability inclusion education and community engagement programs across Australia, including Wheelchair AFL/NRL/Basketball, Boccia, seated Volleyball, adaptive sports, employment readiness initiatives and school-based inclusion programs. In 2025 alone, Freedom engaged more than 10,500 students through its adaptive sport and disability inclusion experiences.
Through this partnership, ASAPD and Freedom Sports Foundation will work together to strengthen inclusive sporting opportunities, improve community connection and help create a future where people with disability have greater access to participate, belong, lead and succeed in sport and active recreation across Australia.
