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Finding a sport or club that fits

By Scott Chapman, founder · 29 October 2026 · 4 min read

Sport and clubs can mean fitness, friends and something to look forward to each week. But finding the right one is not always easy. The Australian Sports Commission notes that adults with disability take part in sport and physical activity less than adults without disability, and that the disability itself is not always the main reason. Costs, transport, not knowing what is out there and a lack of accessibility are some of the most common barriers it lists.

Here is where to look, what to ask and how to try before you commit. For why this is a question of rights, see An active life is a right, not an extra.

Where to look

Disability Sports Australia. Its Get started in sport page links to national disability sport organisations, wheelchair sport, directories for each state and territory, and national sporting organisations, from archery to water polo, that offer opportunities for people with disability.
Paralympics Australia. The Start Line is its home for people beginning a Para sport journey. It has an impairment mapping tool to suggest Para sports that may suit you, an events calendar and a way to send an enquiry.
Sport Inclusion Australia. A national organisation that has worked since 1986 on sport for people with an intellectual impairment, from local clubs to national competition.
A club directory. Find a club on this site lists sport and recreation clubs and organisations, most in Queensland, that you can search by sport and suburb or postcode. You can also browse one sport, such as boccia clubs and programs or swimming clubs and programs. The directory gives contact details; it has not checked each club's accessibility, so the questions below still apply.
Your local council and leisure centre. It is worth asking what runs nearby.

Questions to ask a club

A good club will be glad you asked. You might ask:

Can I get in and around easily? Think about parking, entrances, change rooms and toilets.
What kinds of sessions do you run? Options can include the main program, a parallel session alongside it, or a disability-specific group.
Will you ask me what I need? The Sports Commission encourages clubs to ask each participant about their needs, and to include an accessibility question on registration forms.
What roles are open to me? Player, coach, official, volunteer or committee member.
What does it cost? Ask about fees, uniforms and equipment, and whether there is any help with costs.

Notice how people answer, too. Play by the Rules and the Australian Sports Commission built their 7 Pillars of Inclusion framework around ideas like attitude and choice. One of its tips is to always put the person first and ask what they need, rather than assume. If a club talks to you, not just to your support worker or family member, that is a good sign.

Try before you commit

Look for come-and-try days. Disability Sports Australia runs Abilities Unleashed, come-and-try days that connect people with disability to local sport and active recreation, and Bupa Every Body Moves, a series of community events.
Ask about a trial session. Ask whether you can come along once before you sign up.
Watch first. Seeing a session from the sidelines can show you how busy and loud it is, and how people treat each other.
Try more than one. Finding the right fit can take a few goes. That is part of the process.

Modified formats

Rules, equipment, the playing area and the way coaching is done can sometimes be adapted so everyone can take part, and some sports already have a modified version. The Australian Sports Commission gives the example of social wheelchair softball, where everyone plays seated in a wheelchair, whether or not they have a disability. If the standard game is not right for you, ask whether the sport has a modified format, or whether a session could be adapted.

Taking a companion

If you need someone with you to take part, check whether you can get a Companion Card in your state or territory. At participating venues it gives a free ticket to the companion who supports you. In the ACT, for example, the list of participating venues includes pools, leisure centres and gyms. A venue that accepts the card is not always accessible, so check with the venue first.

When you are ready to go

The Go door in the Able Wellness app helps you plan an outing, with "what to expect" stories so you can look ahead at your own pace before the first session. For more ideas on the day itself, see Getting ready for an outing.