Grants
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Sport Access Foundation (SAF) has announced the 2025 recipients of its national grant program, awarding $24,000 to young Australians with disability and sporting clubs committed to creating more inclusive opportunities.
Four sporting clubs and 19 young athletes across the country will receive support through four dedicated grant categories, each designed to remove the cost barriers that can prevent children and teenagers with disability from participating in sport.
Founder Katie Kelly OAM PLY, Paralympic Gold Medallist and two-time World Champion in Para-triathlon, said the number of applications received this year reflected a growing recognition of the Foundation’s role in helping more children with disability access sport.
“We congratulate our 23 grant recipients,” Kelly said.
“The volume and quality of applications we received show just how many young people with disability are eager to play sport but face significant barriers in doing so, but organisations like Sport Access Foundation are helping change that.”
More than 80 families and clubs applied to the program this year, highlighting a consistent national demand for financial and structural support to enable participation. SAF grants can fund essential costs such as sports equipment, carer or travel expenses. These fees are often the difference between sitting on the sidelines and joining in.
“When clubs invest in inclusion, they are not only supporting new players, but they are transforming the culture of communities,” she said. “That’s the ripple effect that Sport Access Foundation grants can provide.”
Despite progress, participation in organised sport remains low for people with disability. According to the Australian Sports Commission and AusPlay, only 14% of persons with disability participated in a sport-related activity at least once a week1.
Kelly said tackling these inequities continues to guide the Sport Access Foundation’s purpose. “The intersection of disability, gender, and cultural identity adds layers of disadvantage for many aspiring athletes. We want to ensure First Nations children and girls with disability, especially those in rural or remote communities, are given fair and equal access to sport.”
2025 Grants
- Pathway to Paralympic Grant – 4 athletes, $1,500 each
- BlueScope Sporting Club Grant – 4 clubs, $2,000 each
- Kickstart Grant – 5 recipients, $1,000 each
- No Barriers Grant – 10 recipients, $500 each
Together, these total $24,000 in direct funding.
Since its inception in 2017, Sport Access Foundation has supported more than 100 athletes and clubs with over $100 000 in grants. Past recipients have gone on to represent Australia at the Paralympic and Commonwealth Games, including notable athletes across Boccia, Para-triathlon, and Wheelchair Tennis.
Kelly emphasised that the success stories from early grant recipients speak volumes about why continued community and partner support matters.
“When young Australians with disability have equal access to sport, we see them not only excel, but inspire others and drive broader change within their communities,” she said.
Supported by BlueScope, this year’s grants reflect SAF’s growing role in shaping a more equitable and inclusive future for sport in Australia.
References
1. ASC Data Portal - https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMzg2NTFmZGEtNGRhZC00Yzg2LWFjMjktNTViZTc2NDYwN2RiIiwidCI6IjhkMmUwZjRjLTU1ZjItNGNiMS04ZWU3LWRhNWRkM2ZmMzYwMCJ9
Get Involved
Your donation will go towards providing financial assistance and support to enable children with a disability to participate in sporting activities. Every dollar goes direct to the grant recipients to help with the cost of their sport, including modified equipment, carer costs, transport and fees.
