Football announces Disability Action Plan

Disability Action Plans are a key outcome of the Sports CONNECT program.

With support from the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC’s) Disability Sport unit, Football Federation Australia (FFA) and its Member Federations have committed to the philosophy of making football accessible to all.

FFA with the assistance of its Member Federations will soon complete its national disability audit and launch its Disability Action Plan.

This development is part of the national Sports CONNECT scheme initiated by the ASC to support national sport organisations in increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in sport.

FFA CEO Ben Buckley understands that the plan will increase participation.

‘As a sport, it is important that there are no barriers to participation in our community. Central to this is ensuring football is an inclusive activity and that football maximises participation for all.

‘Through the Sport CONNECT FFA Disability Action Plan we will ensure that people with disabilities can become involved in football at any level and enjoy a quality experience’. Buckley said.

The Disability Action Plan will be an integral part of FFA’s new National Football Development Plan under which the sport will continue to expand the scope of existing initiatives and programs intended to ensure that the game is as accessible as possible to all Australians, in particular people with disabilities.

As part of the national disability audit FFA has now begun the consultation process and is urging all football clubs that conduct specific disability football programs to contact them on communityfootball@footballaustralia.com.au.

Disability Action Plans

Disability Action Plans are a key outcome of the Sports CONNECT program. The document is negotiated between the ASC and the national sports organisation. Strategies in the Plan outline the funding assistance provided directly to the national sports organisation.

The basis of negotiations is one of cooperation and joint ownership. Both the national sports organisation and the ASC makes a commitment to ensure that outcomes are met in a timely manner.

On completion, the Plan is registered with the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

Specific focus areas are related to the classic ‘athlete pyramid’ and the creation of pathways. The key focus areas are development, participation and competition. This creates a bottom up approach to sport and enables a sport to concentrate its efforts on developing the foundations for future growth up to the elite level.

High performance sport for athletes with disabilities is generally well supported by many national sports organisations, often through separate agreements that provide opportunities for elite competition. In developing a Disability Action Plan, a national sports organisation will need to ensure that strategies to develop their sport and create opportunities at all levels, compliment existing high performance programs.

For more information on the ASC’s Sports CONNECT scheme visit ausport.gov.au/dsu.

Courtesy of the FFA