For many people, stepping onto a sporting court is a simple routine. But for people with disability, opportunities to participate are too often pre-determined, chosen by someone else, structured without their input, or squeezed into a one-size-fits-all model.
At GippSport, we believe accessible sport isn’t just about opening the stadium doors; it is about handing over the microphone. True inclusion happens when participants have genuine agency, real choice, and the power to co-create their own experiences.
The Power of a Simple Question
When we asked the participants and staff from the George Gray Centre to plan a Commonwealth Games sports day, we didn’t start with a pre-packaged timetable. Instead, we started with a fundamental question: “What do you want to play?”
For many people with disability, having their choices directly asked for and explicitly respected is an opportunity they don’t experience often enough in community spaces. The response from the athletes was clear, immediate, and unanimous: Soccer, Basketball, and Cricket.
Because their voices guided the plan, we built the entire event around those exact wishes.
Choice in Action
On Thursday, 23 July, that participant-led vision came to life at the Gippsland Regional Sporting Complex (GRSC). The result was an electric, high-energy environment built entirely on participant ownership.
35 Athletes: Brilliant community members stepped onto the courts ready to bring their best.
5 Teams: Participants divided into five friendly teams, the Kangaroos, Koalas, Tigers, Lions, and Wombats.
Non-Stop Action: A round-robin format ensured every single team faced off in all three chosen sports.
A massive thank you to the Gippsland Regional Sporting Complex (GRSC) for generously providing two additional courts at no charge. That extra space meant more room for safe movement, multiple games running simultaneously, and an environment where every athlete could thrive. From sinking hoops to hitting boundaries and scoring goals, the sportsmanship on display was gold-medal standard.
Why Co-Creation Matters for the Future of Sport
This sports day was more than just a great recap of a fun event, it was a practical demonstration of what community sport looks like when we move from passive inclusion to active co-creation.
When participants are given the agency to choose their sports, engagement skyrockets, pride takes center stage, and meaningful social connections naturally form. We share this story to challenge and encourage the broader sports sector: when designing programs for people with disability, always listen first and build second.
Let’s Co-Create Your Next Community Event
Are you a disability service provider, community group, local council, or sporting club wanting to deliver an active, inclusive experience for your participants?
GippSport is ready to collaborate with you. We bring the program design expertise, equipment, and sporting networks, while your participants bring their choices, energy, and vision. Together, we can design an event where your group takes the lead from day one.
