RugbyWA All Abilities

All Abilities Rugby – Inclusive Schools Program
Role: Co-Creator, Strategic Oversight & Delivery Lead
Organisation: RugbyWA | Location: Western Australia

As part of my leadership at RugbyWA, I had the privilege of co-designing and overseeing the launch of the All Abilities Rugby – Schools Program from the ground up, alongside our dedicated All Abilities Coordinator.

This pioneering project was driven by the belief that rugby should be accessible to every child—regardless of physical, cognitive, or emotional ability. It aimed to create inclusive, engaging experiences that empowered young people with disabilities to connect, grow, and thrive through sport.

🔹 Strategic Development
I led the end-to-end development of the program, from stakeholder consultation and curriculum design to implementation and ongoing evaluation.

This included aligning with the National Disability Strategy, Sporting Schools framework, and Rugby Australia’s inclusive delivery guidelines.

🔹 School Delivery
We launched the program across multiple Perth metro schools and specialist education centres.

Our approach included adaptable clinics, modified game rules, sensory-friendly environments, and one-on-one support where needed.

I helped design lesson plans and activity stations that were fun, confidence-building, and inclusive of varying motor and cognitive abilities.

🔹 Community & Partnerships
We partnered with Special Olympics Australia, Sporting Schools, and local rugby clubs to build sustainable school-to-club pathways.

I facilitated term-based Gala Days, where students rotated through multi-sport activations—fostering social interaction, physical literacy, and a love for sport.

🔹 Long-Term Impact
The program is now embedded into RugbyWA’s All Abilities strategy and has helped mainstream inclusive thinking across our broader rugby development model.

We’ve since expanded to support All Abilities Club Teams at Southern Lions, Perth Bayswater, and Wanneroo, creating a full participation pathway.

The initiative was nominated for the 2024 WADSA Community Program of the Year Award—a testament to its meaningful impact.

✅ Key Achievements:
Co-designed the All Abilities Schools Rugby Program (foundation to delivery)

Delivered programs to dozens of schools across WA

Established sustainable partnerships with clubs and Special Olympics

Boosted inclusive participation and community engagement

Achieved cross-sector recognition through WADSA award nomination