Special Olympics Australia, in partnership with Playbk Sports and supported by My Plan Manager, has launched a first-of-its-kind online course to help coaches, parents and volunteers understand the vital role of community sport and equip them with the tools to support National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants achieve their personal goals on and off the field.
Understanding the NDIS: Creating Inclusive Sporting Environments is now available through Special Olympics Australia’s Inclusive Sports Academy. The course empowers people to see sport not just as recreation but as a meaningful way to build skills, confidence and independence for people with intellectual disability and/or autism.
Sport is one of the most powerful tools we have to build inclusion, confidence and community. We know the NDIS can be complex to navigate, especially in the context of community sport. This course helps coaches, parents and volunteers link sport to a participant’s NDIS goals and how that connection is clear, practical and achievable”
Jamie O’Connor, CEO of Special Olympics Australia
The course was developed with the support of My Plan Manager, Australia’s largest NDIS plan management provider, and a proud partner of Special Olympics Australia.
“As the largest and most experienced plan manager in the country, we support tens of thousands of everyday Australians to get the most out of their NDIS plans – and their lives,” said My Plan Manager Chief Executive Officer, Jane Kittel.
“Navigating the NDIS can be tricky and that’s why we’re partnering with Special Olympics Australia to deliver resources that teach its coaches and volunteers about the Scheme.
“Together, we’re committed to helping athletes around the nation to better understand the NDIS and the benefits it offers to people with disability.”
Damian Hecker, Chief Operating Officer at Playbk Sports, highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative.
“This is exactly what modern education in sport should look like – personalised, engaging content that meets a real need. We’re proud to combine our experience in e-learning with Special Olympics Australia’s deep community roots and My Plan Manager’s industry insight to create something that will have a lasting impact across local clubs, families and community sport participants.”
The free course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and features:
- An overview of the NDIS and its relevance to sport
- Examples of funded supports that may enhance participation
- Practical coaching strategies aligned with NDIS outcomes
- Real stories from athletes, carers and industry experts
- A downloadable workbook for ongoing learning.
Start your learning journey today and help make sport more inclusive for everyone: www.inclusivesportacademy.com.au
This course was developed thanks to funding received from the Australian Sports Commission – Play Well Participation Grant Program – Stream 1
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About Special Olympics Australia
Special Olympics Australia is part of a global community that brings sport, joy and inclusion to people with intellectual disability and/or autism. People of all ages and abilities are welcome to join, have fun, make friends and discover new skills, which may even lead them to representing Australia.
About Playbk Sports
Playbk Sports delivers premium digital learning solutions for sport.
Since 2015, we’ve partnered with elite clubs and national bodies to create tailored eLearning programs and branded LMS platforms. Our work grows participation, builds capability, and creates measurable impact for coaches, athletes, teachers, and fans.
Trusted by organisations including teams from the AFL, NRL, NBL and the NFL, as well as AusCycling, Little Athletics Australia and Special Olympics Australia.
