Special Olympics Australia has launched a fully updated and expanded version of its flagship eLearning coaching course, Coaching Inclusive Sports for People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism.
The new course builds on the success of the original 2018 course, which reached more than 2,500 coaches and achieved a 98 per cent satisfaction rate. As the first course of its kind in Australia, it helped transform coaching practice and contributed to safer, more inclusive environments for hundreds of thousands of athletes with intellectual disability and autism.
This next-generation version strengthens that foundation with contemporary research, modern coaching practice and a richer learner experience designed to lift inclusive sport across the country.
Developed in partnership with Playbk Sports and delivered through the award-winning Inclusive Sport Academy, the course brings together Special Olympics athletes, expert coaches and sector leaders. The Inclusive Sport Academy was recently recognised with a LearnX Platinum Award for excellence in education technology and has now supported more than 10,000 learners across its national programs.
Learners will hear from respected contributors including:
- Scott McDermott, PGA Professional and Head Coach of the Special Olympics Victoria Golf Team
- Naomi Symington, university lecturer, inclusion consultant and Head Coach of the Eltham Wildcats Unified Sports Program
- Chloe Symington, educator and emerging inclusive youth sport coach
- Ayden Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Disability Sports Australia
- Special Olympics athletes who share lived experience to keep athlete voice at the centre
Special Olympics Australia Chief Executive Officer Jamie O’Connor said he was excited to launch the course and reflect on how far inclusive coaching has come.
“Inclusive coaching changes lives. This refreshed course strengthens our commitment to ensuring every athlete is seen, supported and empowered through sport,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Building on the success of our original course, this new version gives coaches across Australia the practical skills they need to create environments where people with intellectual disability and autism can thrive.”
The course explores key topics such as understanding intellectual disability and autism, effective communication, planning and delivering inclusive sessions, creating supportive environments and applying athlete centred coaching. Learners gain practical strategies they can apply straight away, with early testing showing strong improvements in confidence and capability.
Playbk Sports Chief Operating Officer Damian Hecker said the team was proud to work with Special Olympics Australia to elevate inclusive coaching.
“We designed this course to blend evidence-based practice with real coaching insight. By elevating the voices of athletes and coaches and using contemporary digital learning approaches, we have created an experience that helps coaches make meaningful positive impact,” Mr Hecker said.
The new Coaching Inclusive Sports course is now available through the Inclusive Sport Academy and provides coaches, educators and volunteers with a clear and accessible pathway to build their skills and deliver inclusive sport for every athlete.
For more information or to enrol, visit the Inclusive Sport Academy or contact Special Olympics Australia.
The Inclusive Sport Academy is proudly presented by Gallagher.
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For further information or media, please contact:
Special Olympics Australia: me***@*****************om.au
Playbk Sports: in**@**********ts.com
About Special Olympics Australia
Special Olympics Australia is part of a global movement using the power of sport to build a more inclusive world for people with intellectual disability and/or autism. At Special Olympics Australia, we believe sport can do more than inspire. It can shift culture. It can shape policies. It can change behaviours. And it can change the way the world sees ability.
All year round, we offer Olympic-type sports training and competitions for children and adults of all ages and ability levels – from weekly local grassroots activities, to State, National and World Games. But what we do goes far beyond sport. We break down barriers and we ignite confidence. We are a movement where no one is left behind, and everyone plays, competes, and thrives.
About Playbk Sports
Playbk Sports delivers premium digital learning solutions tailored for the sporting sector.
Since 2015, we have partnered with elite clubs and national sporting bodies to design eLearning programs and branded LMS platforms that drive participation, build workforce capability and create measurable impact across schools, coaches, athletes and communities.
Trusted by organisations including teams from the AFL, NRL, NBL and the NFL, as well as AusCycling, Little Athletics Australia and Special Olympics Australia.
