Category: Members News

Athletes Shine at the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships with Record Breaking Brilliance in Brisbane

A group of male athletes with race bibs from different countries, including Australia, France, Japan, Italy, and Spain, are running on a blue track during an international athletics event. The runners are captured mid-stride, with focus and intensity as they compete. In the background, officials are watching and the grassy area of the track venue is visible. The image is captioned with "Sport Inclusion Australia."

Over four unforgettable days in Brisbane, elite athletes with an intellectual impairment broke 27 Virtus World Records at the 2025 Virtus World Athletics Championships.

Italy led the medal tally with 41 medals and eight world records, followed by Australia (46 medals, six world records) and Poland (17 medals).

Record-breaking moments included Italy’s men’s 4x100m relay teams, Great Britain’s Saide Graham-Mulvaney, Spain’s Pineda Mejia, Japan’s Kai Kameyama, and Australia’s rising star Siarne Davis, who smashed three world records in her international debut.

More than 300 athletes from 30 nations showcased precision, power and world-class performance, with the Championships delivered by Sport Inclusion Australia and Queensland Athletics.

Full results: https://qldathletics.anet.live/meets/56068
More info: https://sportinclusionaustralia.org.au/2025-virtus-world-athletics-championships/

Ballarat to host 2025 Special Olympics Victoria State Games

The City of Ballarat will host the 2025 Special Olympics Victoria State Games from 3–5 October, welcoming over 500 athletes with intellectual disability and autism for a weekend of competition and celebration. Events will open with a ceremony at Selkirk Stadium on Saturday, showcasing sports across Ballarat’s key venues and fostering inclusion, resilience, and community spirit.

These Games offer athletes vital opportunities, leading up to the 2026 National Games in Melbourne, and are set to deliver benefits for local businesses, clubs, and the broader community.

Competitions:

Athletics, Basketball, Bocce, Bowling, Football (Soccer), Golf, Gymnastics, Netball, Swimming, and Tennis across Ballarat venues.

Special Olympics Australia launches practical new online course with support of My Plan Manager

Special Olympics Australia, in partnership with Playbk Sports and supported by My Plan Manager, has launched a free online course to help coaches, parents, and volunteers better understand the NDIS and support people with intellectual disability and autism through sport.

The 30-minute course, available via the Inclusive Sports Academy, offers practical coaching strategies, examples of funded supports, and real stories to show how sport can build skills, confidence, and independence for NDIS participants. Developed collaboratively with support from the Australian Sports Commission, this initiative empowers communities to create inclusive sporting environments and make sport more meaningful and accessible for everyone.

National Week of Deaf People – Beyond the Game: Young Deaf Athletes of Australia

Deaf Sports Australia has launched “Beyond the Game: Young Deaf Athletes of Australia”, a new video series for the 2025 National Week of Deaf People.

The series features nine young deaf and hard of hearing Australians sharing their journeys in sport and life:

Sienna Compton – multi-award-winning swimmer and gymnast (NSW) with big ambitions
Ethan Powell – basketballer (WA) passionate about creating more opportunities for Deaf people
Calvin Black – lifelong basketballer (VIC) with bold personality and love for the game
Phoenix Courtney – hip hop dancer (QLD) who values independence and accessibility
Jem Blackmore – adventurous rock climber (QLD) who thrives on challenge
Rebekah Fraser – driven swimmer (WA) with an impressive record and go-getter attitude
Rayan Taya – netballer (VIC) encouraging Deaf kids to pursue their passions
Oliad Omar – table tennis enthusiast (VIC) who has played sport from an early age
Chrispine Wilondja – determined footballer (QLD) who believes in hard work and tenacity

The series celebrates diversity in sport, highlights resilience and a “can do” spirit, and shares stories to inspire Deaf and hard of hearing young people, their families, schools, and the wider community.

Media Release Announcing Deaf Sports Australia Patron

Deaf Sports Australia has appointed Cindy-Lu Bailey as Patron, recognising her outstanding community service and respected leadership in sport, particularly deaf sport. As Patron, Cindy-Lu will provide guidance to the Board, represent the organisation at key events, and serve as an ambassador.

Cindy-Lu’s sporting career includes appearances at the Commonwealth Games, Pan Pacific Games, and six Deaflympics over two decades, along with significant roles in mentoring and developing deaf sport nationally. She succeeds Kevan Gosper AM, who was a longstanding ambassador.

“Our Australian Deaf Sport Community welcome Cindy-Lu to her new and exciting role as Patron for Deaf Sports Australia. We know she will be a wonderful role model for all and we look forward to working with her to help grow our deaf sports profile nationally and internationally,” says Hannah Britton (DSA President).

You can see the interview with Cindy-Lu in Auslan via – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPRxL3n22so.

Disability Inclusion Resource Guide – Making Cricket a Sport for All

Image shows a pile of flyers in the centre with an image on people playing cricket. There is wording that states 'Help us grow cricket as a sport for all'. At the bottom there is Cricket Australia, Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability and Sport Inclusion Australia Logos.

Cricket Australia, in collaboration with the Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability, Sport Inclusion Australia, and the cricket community, has launched a Disability Inclusion Resource Guide to help clubs and associations create safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments for all cricketers.

Access the guide here.

The guide offers practical strategies grounded in best practice and shaped by insights from partners across the sport. It supports Cricket Australia’s vision of making cricket a game for all, whether as a player, volunteer, coach, official, or supporter.

Topics covered include:

Flexible participation models
Training and match modifications
Inclusive communication strategies
Non-playing roles and community pathways
Building environments where people with disability feel a sense of belonging

Cricket Australia’s National Inclusion Ambassador, Nathan Lyon, introduced the resource, encouraging community clubs to use the guide to become welcoming and safe environments for everyone.

Help spread the word by accessing the Stakeholder Kit.

Australian Boccia Back On Top Of The Podium

Image shows Boccia stars Dan Michel and Jamieson Leeson, and their respective ramp assistants Ash Maddern and Jasmin Haydon in front of a grey and white sign. They are all holding up gold meals and all wearing yellow jackets.

Australian boccia stars Dan Michel and Jamieson Leeson, alongside ramp assistants Ash Maddern and Jasmin Haydon, have sent a strong message to rivals ahead of next year’s World Championships with a dominant pairs victory at the Seoul 2025 World Boccia Cup.

The Australians claimed their first major title in over two years, defeating Poland 8-0 in the final after edging Greece 4-3 in the semi-final. Michel, a two-time Paralympic medallist, described the gold as “really rewarding” after a strong campaign in both pairs and individual events. Leeson, last year’s Paralympic silver medallist, said their preparation and composure were key to the win.

The tournament proved a standout for the Australians, with Michel and Maddern also earning silver in the BC3 male event, and Leeson and Haydon securing bronze in the BC3 female competition. Looking ahead, Michel said the result puts the team in an excellent position for the 2026 World Championships in Korea and qualification for the LA 2028 Paralympics.

Boccia Athletes Among Para Athlete Barrier Fund Recipients: Breaking Down Barriers in Australian Para-sport

The Para Athlete Barrier Fund, part of the Australian Government’s Para Uplift initiative, awards up to $4,000 to help Para athletes cover costs like equipment, travel, and support needs, directly addressing real challenges identified through extensive research. Boccia Australia is proud that athletes Dylan Schwarz, Ashlee Maddern, Jean-Paul La Fontaine, and Lachlan Kavanagh have received this support, enabling them to focus on training and performance.

The government has doubled its investment to $54.9 million, aiming to boost athlete development and success ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Games by enhancing coaching, training, and classification systems. Minister for Sport Anika Wells emphasized the grants are crucial for 122 athletes to pursue their dreams in sport, ensuring they have the resources to reach their potential.

Teen soccer player Ruby Miller fundraising for Deaflympics debut

Ruby Miller, 17, is set to represent Australia in women’s deaf soccer at the upcoming Deaflympics in Japan, but must raise $10,000 to fund her trip since athletes pay their own way. Her family is running local fundraisers, including selling socks and wood, and seeking sponsorships.

Unlike Olympians and Paralympians, deaf athletes receive limited government support, so community donations and grants are essential for making participation possible. Ruby is determined to succeed despite the challenges and is training hard for the event.

A second chance at life sees siblings represent Australia at World Transplant Games

Emma, 18, and Jacob Evans, 20, share a powerful bond forged through a lifetime of illness. Born with a rare autoimmune condition that limited their life expectancy to just 30 years, the siblings spent much of their childhood in hospitals undergoing treatments and trials.

In 2020, Jacob received a groundbreaking transplant, with Emma following a year later. The procedures transformed their lives, giving them the chance at longer, healthier futures.

“These two incredible people have built resilience, have built coping skills, are each other’s best friends,” Steve Evans said.

Now, the pair are representing Australia at the World Transplant Games in Germany. They’ll team up in six-a-side soccer, while Emma also races in the 5km run and Jacob competes in golf.