Sport, recreation and physical activity is important to the health and wellbeing of everyone. The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing strives to support all South Australians to incorporate movement, play and performance in their daily lives.

All people should enjoy the same access and inclusion to sport, recreation and physical activity, regardless of age, ability, gender, sexual orientation, cultural background, ethnicity or location.

We aim to:

  • listen, inform and collaborate with partners to incorporate more physical activity into the daily lives of all South Australians.
  • work with sport and recreation stakeholders, government and non government bodies, and the for-profit and not-for profit sector in an effort to build a more active state and create welcoming environments, inclusive of all.

Inclusive framework

Sport Australia's Inclusive Sport Framework provides a model for advancing diversity and inclusion.

This five step process and comprehensive toolkit will assist organisations to develop their own inclusive frameworks and develop clear strategies, policies, programs and practices that foster greater diversity and inclusion.

An inclusive framework demonstrates that everyone is included, is treated equally and will be made to feel part of the organisation. It can help attract new members, sponsors and other community organisations with similar values, who want to align with your brand and activities and demonstrates that your organisation will not tolerate discrimination, barriers or disadvantage.

People with disability should have equal opportunity to participate in every aspect of life, including elite and community sport, recreation and physical activity.

There are a range of benefits to be gained from involving people with disability in your club:

  • People with disability have opportunities to develop physical skills, game knowledge and social connectedness.
  • Your club becomes more reflective of the community you live in which helps break down stereotypes and build a stronger, more community-focused club culture.
  • Clubs are likely to experience an increase in club membership, revenue, volunteers and increased funding opportunities.

The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing strives to support South Australians of all abilities to incorporate movement, play and performance in their daily lives by aiming to:

  • Work with state sports and recreation associations and disability organisations to foster inclusive programs for people with disabilities and provide welcoming and inclusive environments for all.
  • Assist organisations to reduce the barriers in sport and recreation participation for people with varying abilities.

Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2020-2024

The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing's Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) 2020-2024 outlines the steps we will take to improve outcomes for South Australians with disability, their carers and our workforce, as well as improve accessibility of the services we both fund and deliver.

The DAIP is structured around the themes and priority areas set out in the State Disability and Inclusion Plan.

In line with the State Disability Inclusion Plan's commitment to remain a living document, the ORSR DAIP will remain live to ensure continued alignment and to reflect social, political and environmental changes.

Resources

  • Play by the Rules provides a Disability Inclusion Policy template.
  • Deaf Sports Australia provides opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people to participate in sport at different levels from grassroots to international competition.
  • Disability Sports Australia is Australia’s peak national body representing athletes with a physical disability who compete or work in sporting endeavours of all abilities from grassroots to elite Paralympians.
  • Special Olympics Australia is part of a global sporting community for people with an intellectual disability offering sports training, coaching and competition opportunities throughout Australia.
  • Paralympics Australia helps Australians with disabilities participate in sport and compete at the Paralympic Games.
  • Riding for the Disabled Association Australia (RDAA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation which provides opportunities for anyone with a disability to enjoy safe, healthy, therapeutic horse-related activities in Australia.
  • Riding for the Disabled Association SA (RDSA) is a voluntary, not-for-profit organisation which provides horse riding and related activities as sport, active recreation and basic therapy for people with disability.
  • Reclink Australia provides opportunities for social engagement through sport and recreation for people experiencing disadvantage.
  • Leap YMCA assists people with disability to be active, healthy and engaged in their community.
  • Wheelienet Disability Awareness Program by Novita is a fun and interactive program for South Australian schools, corporate organisations and community groups to gain a greater awareness of the issues and challenges facing people living with disability.
  • Inclusive Sport SA aims to create effective engagement opportunities and strategies between organisations, marginalised groups and the community to ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.

Sport and staying active is important for the health and wellbeing of our Indigenous people.

The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing aims to:

  • Encourage Indigenous people to be more active and to be involved in all aspects of sport and recreation.
  • Increase opportunities for Indigenous people to learn the skills needed to organise, deliver and manage community-based sport.

Resources

  • Sport SA has a Reconciliation Knowledge Centre which provides information and resources for the use and benefit of our South Australian sporting clubs and organisations.
  • Reconciliation SA champions a reconciled and just South Australian society free from racism through education, information, conversation and advocacy.
  • Government of South Australia provides resources for Aboriginal people.

Staying active as you age is important for our physical and mental health and wellbeing and helps to stay healthy, feel better and live longer.

Sport and recreation organisations are adapting service delivery to suit the needs of older adults so that they can enjoy the multiple health benefits of regular movement.

Resources

Active Ageing Australia is a registered not-for-profit promoting physical activity for a lifetime of health and wellbeing.

Centre for Physical Activity in Ageing is a specialised rehabilitation unit of the Royal Adelaide Hospital that is located at the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre.

COTA SA offers a diverse range of programs which aim to support individuals, government and community organisations.

Aged Care Guide Modified Sports making it possible to continue participating in the sports you love simply by making some adjustments.

The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing aims to:

  • Work with multicultural communities to make sport inclusive for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people, refugees, migrants and all people regardless of cultural background.
  • Assist State Sporting Associations to work in partnership with these communities.
  • Work with State Sports and Recreation Associations and multicultural organisations to foster inclusive programs for people from multicultural communities and provide welcoming and inclusive environments for all.

Multicultural, Intercultural and CALD are terms used to describe people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The terms are used to describe people who are born overseas or who are Australian born with one or both parents (or grandparents) born overseas.

Building relationships with and encouraging people from multicultural backgrounds provides opportunities for South Australian sporting and active recreation organisations along with their member associations and clubs, to expand their membership and involve people in all aspects of the sporting experience.

Resources

The Centre for Multicultural Youth provides information related to inclusive coaching.

The Department of the Premier and Cabinet is responsible for the development of multicultural policies and programs and the promotion of cultural diversity in South Australia.

The Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing believes that all people should enjoy the same access and inclusion to sport, recreation and physical activity, including those of diverse sexualities and genders.

Sport Australia partnered with the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports to develop Guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport. The Guidelines provide practical advice on how sporting organisations can create and promote an inclusive environment for transgender and gender diverse people.

Resources

Play by the Rules Creating an LGBTI+ Inclusive Club is a free, interactive online training course suitable for coaches, administrators, officials, players and volunteers.

Proud2Play focuses on increasing LGBTIQ+ engagement in sport, exercise and active recreation.

Pride in Sport is a national not-for-profit sporting inclusion program specifically designed to assist sporting organisations of all levels with the inclusion of employees, athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators with diverse sexualities and genders.

Play by the Rules provides tips on how to manage sideline behaviour.

Resources for Sport and Recreation Organisations

ORSR encourages clubs, association and other sport and recreation organisations to make their organisations more accessible to people with a disability. A valuable resource to help achieve this is the SA Government’s Online Accessibility Toolkit. The resources available one the SA Government’s Online Accessibility website outlines the importance of creating accessible online solutions and practical tools to help create digital communications which can be accessed by all.