What Ability teams up with Disability Sports Australia

September 2023

Disability Sports Australia (DSA) and What Ability, a leading National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, are teaming up to support Australians with disabilities be active through a new community partnership.

What Ability specialises in one-to-one community access for people living with disability by pairing them with support workers, which include a number of Australia’s elite and emerging athletes. DSA is a National Sporting Organisation for people with disabilities (NSOD) that strives to enable more Australians with disabilities be more active more often. Both organisations are coming together to amplify their impact, share stories, and advocate for an inclusive active environment for individuals with disabilities.

As part of the partnership, What Ability and DSA will harness the power of sport to help put happiness first for people living with a disability around the country. Both organisations share the belief that sport has the ability to bring people together, facilitate social connections and improve the wellbeing of people living with disabilities. 

“Our partnership with What Ability is a thrilling step forward in our collective journey,” exclaimed Ayden Shaw, General Manager of Disability Sports Australia. “By combining our strengths, we can expand the reach of our programs and initiatives, ultimately providing more opportunities for people with disabilities to be active and socially connected.”

Jared Chapman, CEO of What Ability, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We are proud to partner with Disability Sports Australia. Their shared vision of an inclusive world and like-minded activities provide an exciting glimpse into what’s to come. We look forward to this helping happiness come first for Australians with disabilities.”

An announcement of this exciting partnership took place at the Activate Inclusion Sports Day event in Newcastle on Thursday, September 7. This event served as the perfect backdrop for the collaboration, as it created buzz around DSA’s new program, “Abilities Unleashed – Adults.” This program encourages and empowers adults with disabilities to explore local adaptive sports and active recreation opportunities.

The partnership is a testament to both organisations’ dedication to improving the lives of people with disabilities and promoting a more inclusive world. By leveraging each other’s strengths, DSA and What Ability aim to positively impact communities nationwide.

To follow this partnership, check out What Ability (@whatability) and Disability Sports Australia (@disabilitysportsaustralia) on socials or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.

By |2023-09-07T06:18:32+00:00September 5, 2023|News, state based|0 Comments
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What Ability joins forces with the NRL

– August 2023 –

What Ability and the National Rugby League (NRL) will unite to put happiness first for people living with disabilities across the country.

Together they’re empowering communities on and off the field to support all abilities and athletes while also raising awareness for the disability sector. The partnership will focus on Athlete Pathway programs, disability education and celebrating the stories of support workers who also play rugby league.

What Ability Founder Steve Dresler said: “We are so excited to partner with the NRL to showcase the power of sport in breaking down barriers regarding disability in our community. It truly is a game for everyone, and we couldn’t be prouder to have our participants watching their support workers play this great game!”

“Across the board from NRL and NRLW professional athletes to under 20s, we have employed over 300 players as What Ability support workers in Australia. This is another reason we couldn’t be prouder to partner with the NRL and work together on building an inclusive community.”

Andrew Every, Executive General Manager Strategy, Transformation and Technology at NRL said “Our partnership with What Ability signifies an exciting milestone for us as we grow the number of people living with a disability to play, support and access the game across all formats.”

What Ability Athlete Manager and ex-NRL player, Keegan Hipgave is thrilled about the partnership, commenting on the alignment and crossover between the organisations, “To have so many NRL and NRLW players on board who share our vision, makes this partnership so special.”

“Players such as Tom, Jake and Ben Trbojevic, Junior Tatola, Jaime Chapman and Olivia Kernick, to name a few, have embraced What Ability and are helping us break down those barriers. We can’t wait to see what opportunities and awareness this partnership brings this year.”

To follow this partnership, check out What Ability (@whatability) and NRL (@nrl) on socials or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.

By |2023-09-01T01:27:41+00:00August 31, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments
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What Ability partners with Giants!

Giants announce their partnership with What Ability 

– May 2023 –

GIANTS have announced an exciting new community partnership with disability support service What Ability.

What Ability is an NDIS provider that utilises professional and semi-professional athletes as support workers to provide community access for people living with a disability, including swimming, bush walks, beach days, indoor activities and overnight camps.

What Ability CEO Belinda Woolford said the partnership will facilitate more happiness and community-based experiences to people living with a disability.

“To team up with a club who shares our vision of an inclusive world is very exciting. We’ve got big things planned for the rest of the year and we couldn’t be prouder to see the GWS community get involved in helping us put happiness first for all our families” Woolford said.

GIANTS CEO David Matthews is just as stoked with the partnership.

 “We’re proud to have What Ability join our GIANTS family as a new community partner. What Ability are a wonderful organisation doing vital work in the disability space and it’s a fantastic opportunity for our players to be involved as support workers themselves. The GIANTS are an organisation for everyone and this new partnership just reinforces that our club is an inclusive and safe space for all.”

GIANTS players Ally Dallaway and Lachie Whitfield are already involved as support workers with What Ability. 

“If there were other athletes thinking about getting involved in this work, I would say, it is so fun, super rewarding, it’s honestly the best job ever and What Ability has been amazing to work for. So, it honestly doesn’t feel like work at all, so it’s perfect.” Dallaway said.

To follow this partnership, check out What Ability (@whatability) and GIANTS (@gwsgiants) on socials or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.

By |2023-05-29T23:42:05+00:00May 29, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments
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What Ability partners with Manly Sea Eagles!

Manly Sea Eagles announce their partnership with What Ability 

– April 2023 –

The Manly Sea Eagles has announced an exciting new partnership with disability support service What Ability.

What Ability is an NDIS provider that utilises professional and semi-professional athletes as support workers to provide community based experiences for people living with a disability, including swimming, bush walks, beach days, indoor activity facilities and holiday camps.

What Ability Media and Community Manager Todd Liubinskas said said the partnership will allow What Ability to bring more happiness to people living with a disability.

“”Manly will play an essential role in helping What Ability build and showcase an inclusive Australia,” Liubinskas said.

“With shared core values and a joint focus on inclusion, we are so excited to team up and harness the power of sport to break down barriers and existing perceptions of the disability sector.”

Manly players Sean Keppie, Tom Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Ben Trbojevic and Karl Lawton are all What Ability Ambassadors. The athletes go out on regular bookings and help to bring happiness to people with disabilities. 

To follow this partnership, check out What Ability (@whatability) and Manly Sea Eagles (@manlyseaeagles) on socials or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.

By |2023-10-23T02:44:48+00:00April 5, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments
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What Ability partners with New South Wales Rugby League!

NSW Rugby League announce their partnership with What Ability 

– April 2023 –

The NSWRL has announced an exciting new partnership with disability support service What Ability, which will include an inaugural award for ‘Inclusive Athlete of the Year’ to be presented at the 2023 Brad Fittler Medal.

What Ability is an NDIS provider that utilises professional and semi-professional athletes as support workers to provide community based experiences for people living with a disability, including swimming, bush walks, beach days, indoor activity facilities and holiday camps.

NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said it was a privilege to form a community partnership with What Ability as inclusion and diversity were among the core pillars of the game.

“What Ability is an industry leader in the disability sector, and we look forward to the opportunities this partnership will provide into the future,” Trodden said.

“I would like to thank What Ability for giving the NSWRL this opportunity to be part of the wonderful and rewarding work that they do.”

What Ability Media and Community Manager Todd Liubinskas said: “We are so excited to partner with NSWRL because we can bring both organisations together to really highlight diversity and inclusion in the Rugby League community.”

The Brad Fittler Medal is held at the end of the regular season for the NSWRL and includes awards for the men’s and women’s State of Origin teams, NSWRL Major Competitions and Junior Representatives Competitions, Referees, Rugby League Officials and Volunteers.

Trodden said it would be a welcome addition to have an award for ‘Inclusive Athlete of the Year.’

“The Brad Fittler Medal provides an opportunity for elite players to grassroots volunteers to be recognised for the outstanding contribution they have made to Rugby League that season,” Trodden said.

“It is only fitting that we have an award that acknowledges inclusion as it illustrates what the NSWRL stands for.”

What Ability was part of the recent ‘Inclusion Gala Day’ at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence which brought together 120 participants of all abilities and cultural backgrounds to enjoy a range of fun Rugby League activities and activations.

True Blues Jake and Tom Trbojevic, and Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues back-rower Shaylee Bent, headline a list of Rugby League ambassadors and other athletes who donate their time to provide positive experiences for people with disabilities.

What Ability CEO Belinda Woolford is also very excited about the partnership, commenting on the ‘synergies’ between the organisations. “Partnering with an organisation who shares our passion for inclusivity and embracing the power of sport to break down barriers and existing stigmas, is really special. We can’t wait to see what opportunities arise this year as both organisations work towards showcasing disability and inclusion at the forefront of Rugby League.”

To follow this partnership, check out What Ability (@whatability) and NSWRL (@nswrl) on socials or if you’re looking for disability support, head to https://whatability.com.au/services/need-support/ to find out more.

By |2023-04-04T04:21:20+00:00April 4, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments
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Tag along to our Western Sydney Wanderers football skills session!

Hey Sydney! Ever wanted to kick a ball with intensity like Western Sydney Wanderer’s Tomi Juric? Or with style like Keanu Baccus? 

Thanks to our friends at Westfield Burwood, we’ve got an exclusive hour during Easter holidays.

This April school holidays Western Sydney Wanderers will host a skills and drills clinic at Westfield Burwood exclusive for What Ability participants. Come down and get involved to learn all of the world game tips and tricks – with a specially tailored session for What Ability.

The event will be on 19th April and run from 10am to 11am and is completely free!

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By |2023-04-04T01:39:26+00:00March 31, 2023|News, NSW, state based|0 Comments
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