Queensland Government calls for innovative solutions to help people with disabilities achieve sporting potential

Small-to-medium sized businesses are being encouraged by the Queensland Government to develop innovative ways to break down barriers faced by Queenslanders with disabilities who want to participate and excel in sport.

The State Government’s Inclusive Sport Technology Challenge is the largest funding challenge offered to date under the Advance Queensland Private Sector Pathways Program.

The challenge will support up to three successful applications with up to $100,000 funding each for concepts that will be piloted by the Department of Tourism and Sport, including at the Queensland Academy of Sport.

The Inclusive Sport Technology Challenge is the largest funding challenge offered to date under the Advance Queensland Private Sector Pathways program which creates commercial opportunities for Queensland business through corporate challenges and co-funding pilots.

Solutions may focus on, but are not limited to, designing inclusive sporting equipment, enhanced training programs for coaches, or the development of apps or other digital tools that provides accessibility information about sporting programs, facilities, events, schedules and registration processes.

Queensland Innovation Minister, Leanne Linard notes “many people will try a range of sports before finding the one they want to actively pursue, but often children and adults with disabilities do not have the same opportunities for sport sampling.

“Some of the barriers faced include limited access to inclusive sporting equipment, poor awareness of inclusive programs or competition pathways, and a lack of innovative solutions that address the challenges associated with their disabilities.

“The Inclusive Sport Tech Challenge aims to significantly improve the opportunities for people with disabilities to participate and excel in a wide array of sports.

“The goal of this challenge is to help people with disabilities to lead a more active and healthy life, improve inclusiveness within their local community, and increase our talent pool for state, national and international competitions, including the Paralympics Games.

“Queensland is home to a booming innovation sector which has a strong track record of developing ground-breaking technologies and solutions, and I can’t wait to see what inventive solutions come out of the Inclusive Sport Technology Challenge.”

Ben Newton, Paralympic Gold Medallist in Wheelchair Rugby and current head coach of the QAS Wheelchair Rugby program shared "I’ve seen first-hand how sport can transform the lives of people with disability, and the unique power it has to promote inclusion and drive positive social change.

“It's exciting to see industry and government working together to tackle the barriers to participation in para-sport in new ways.

“I can't wait to see the benefits that will come from this initiative at community level all the way through to the next generation of Paralympians.”

Dane Cross, Chief Operating Officer of Sporting Wheelies adds “At Sporting Wheelies, we believe in the transformative power of sports to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities.

“The Inclusive Sport Technology Challenge will open new doors for innovation, ensuring every Queenslander has the opportunity to participate and excel in sports, irrespective of their abilities.”

More information about the Private Sector Pathways Program Inclusive Sport Technology Challenge is available at Private Sector Pathways Program | Advance Queensland. 

Applications close 26th March 2024.

Image. Credit: Sporting Wheelies