23 Sep 2008

Supply and demand—one of the most fundamental concepts of economics—is fast becoming vital to the evolution of sport for people with disabilities in Australia.

While sports administrators have spent the past decade with an education focus—training those working in the sports sector to provide more inclusive options, adapting and modifying for various physical, intellectual, sensory and health conditions — there has been little focus on demand.

That is all changing now with the national Sports CONNECT framework which continues the legacy of education and increasing supply, but also concentrates on demand by helping disability groups understand the many benefits of sport and demystifying what it takes to get involved.

Queensland is already well on the way, having hosted a research forum earlier this year with disability service providers to find out what expectations they have of sport and recreation as part of their own strategic aims.

Queensland State Coordinator for Sports CONNECT, Jenny Frowd, said the forum provided a first step in creating a new dialogue between sport organisations and disability service providers.

‘Coming from a background in sport we have a particular view, but we really wanted to listen and hear what it was that the service providers had to say,’ she said.

Sixteen organisations took part in the forum representing people across a broad spectrum of intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities.
Frowd said the response was very positive.

‘The majority of organisations were interested in improving practices to increase opportunities for people with disabilities to be involved in sport and physical activity.

‘Connecting with the right level of the organisation was essential to success in the delivery of sports programs for people with a disability. This needs to be a strategic partnership rather than an operational one to ensure sustainability of the programs developed.’

There have been some good examples at a local level which act as best practice models. ‘A young person with cerebral palsy and his carer approached their local softball association about him playing softball. The local association worked with them to create a set of rules for him that apply every time he steps up to bat. They have included him in the regular competition with these modified rules so he is playing with his peers.’

The organisations that attended the forum completed an expression of interest to indicate whether they believed their organisation’s strategic aims align with the Sports CONNECT framework.

Once these expressions of interest have been collated, work will start with disability service providers to help them make links with sports that are part of the Sports CONNECT scheme. ‘There will be some flexibility in this,’ said Frowd. ‘Obviously the sports they want to work with may not be the sports we currently have a strategic partnership with on a state level, so education on both sides will be an ongoing process.

‘As the framework develops in Queensland we would need to determine the type of assistance each organisation requires and when we are able to step back.’

Queensland’s next step will be to involve state sporting organisations, disability service providers and government agencies in a discussion forum.

The state sporting organisations that are currently strategically involved in the Queensland Sports CONNECT framework are golf, tennis, athletics, football, cycling, swimming, lawn bowls, tenpin bowling, Riding for the Disabled and cricket.

To find out how you or your organisation can get involved in Sports CONNECT, visit the Disability Sport page below.