What Ability and Optus celebrate partnership with style at Optus HQ
What a great morning at Optus HQ to announce our Major Partnership with Optus that will help us bring more happiness to people living with a disability!
Sky News Shows Sky is The Limit for What Ability
What Ability is now on the small screen, with an exciting news feature by Sky News and Paul Murray On Air. Two of our star athletes, Sydney Swifts’ captain Maddy Proud and GWS Giants midfielder Ally Dallaway gave insight into how rewarding their work with What Ability feels, and how crucial it is that everyone has the chance to have fun.
Our founder Steve and CEO Belinda also spoke about how using athletes as support workers helps to dissolve the stigma surrounding people with disability. Then, Participants Matty and Kimberley shared how What Ability has supported them in unleashing their potential. Ken Yazici, one of our participant’s parents also made it known that he never imagined that a service like What Ability could exist.
We are so thankful to Sky News and Paul Murray On Air for shining a light on breaking down barriers in the disability sector!
Essendon FC make off-season splash for What Ability
What Ability is making big waves in the disability space and it’s not going unnoticed! One major player in sports taking notice is the Essendon Football Club, who featured our Melbourne Open Day on their website.
The launch, which took place in collaboration with URBNSURF, saw an incredible turnout of athletes and participants enjoying a swim or going for a surf. Five Essendon players including Matt Guelfi, Dyson Heppell, Pat Voss, Kyle Langford, and Nick Bryan were present on the day.
We are so thankful for their support in bringing the day to life and helping us on our mission to break down barriers and build an inclusive Australia.
Here’s our Young Australian of the Year Nominee!
Our very own founder Steve Dresler has been nominated for Young Australian of the Year award! This nomination recognises the work Steve, What Ability and the What Ability Foundation have been doing in the disability support space.
The NSW nominees are among 131 people being recognised across all states and territories. The four award recipients from NSW will be announced on the evening of Wednesday 2 November in a ceremony at Luna Park.
Congratulations Steve and thank you to every participant, family member, support worker and office worker at What Ability for putting happiness first. This is only the beginning!
Melbourne Open Day a Huge Success!
What Ability made a splash at Saturday’s Melbourne Open Day at URBNSURF. The launch was supported by major partners, Harvey Norman, Shaw and Partners and Tyrepower. The day kicked off with an athlete panel which included What Ability ambassadors Sean Keppie (NRL Manly Sea Eagles), Allie Smith (NSW Swifts), Rudi Ellis (West Coast Fever) and Matt Formston (Australian Paralympian). Other athletes present were Matt Guelfi, Dyson Heppell, Kelsey Browne, Young Tonumaipea, Rahni Sanason, Patrick Voss, Kyle Langford, Jessica Jones and Nick Bryan.
The day saw a great turn out with Melbourne families, participants and athletes turning up to meet the team and soak up the sunshine. Participants were seen swimming in the bays and surfing alongside their favourite athletes. It was a day filled with lots of smiles, fun and surfing. Thank you to URBNSURF for facilitating an awesome day.
Hello Wollongong!
We’re having our very first Wollongong Open Day on 15 October 2022!
If you’re looking for support or want to be a support worker, come down and join us for a BBQ and beach day.
Our team will be there ready to discuss bookings, participants, support worker roles, partnership opportunities and more.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Hello Melbourne!
We are so excited to announce that we are officially launching in Melbourne on 1 October 2022 at URBNSURF!
If you’re looking for support or want to be a support worker, come down for a swim and a day of fun!
Our team will be there ready to discuss bookings, participants, support worker roles, partnership opportunities and more.
RSVP to the Facebook event (link below) and fill out the form below to secure your spot!
We can’t wait to see you there!
Angus Bell pursues ‘pure happiness’ with What Ability
Whilst you’d expect Bell to take the Christmas break to rest and recover after another brutal season, 21-year-old took it upon himself to link up with What Ability as a social worker.
The support services foundation was created by Steve Dresler, with the former Parramatta Eel recognising the influence athletes can play in the community whilst building a positive relationship with children and adults with disabilities.
Life Away From Cricket with Lauren Cheatle
Lauren Cheatle grew up faster than most cricketers.
As a 15-year-old, the left-arm fast bowler was picked in the senior New South Wales squad. At 17, she made her international debut against India at the MCG. She took time off from school in Bowral to play in the T20 World Cup in India.
A long career beckoned before injuries intervened. The 23-year-old hasn’t played for Australia since 2019.
In November last year, Cheatle’s latest comeback was gathering steam as she claimed consecutive three-wicket hauls for the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL, before another shattering setback while diving in the field.
Keppie shares joy of working in disability sector
Sean Keppie regularly devotes free time to working with various disability support services and the Manly prop believes he is always richer for the experience.
“It’s that feeling you get when you help someone achieve little goals, especially for what I do with the kids with disabilities,” Keppie said.
“It makes you feel good, just knowing that you made them happy … It just makes you look at life a different way. It humbles you.”
