The provision of sport for disabled people was a key focus of the 2023 National Sport Club Survey – an annual snapshot of the management, operation and governance of New Zealand’s 7,500 sport clubs.  The survey provides insights into how community sport clubs around the country are providing  participation opportunities and being inclusive of disabled people.

It’s great to see that sport clubs around New Zealand are making progress towards catering for disabled people, but more work is needed to ensure inclusion at all levels – from coaching and delivery to strategy and governance. The majority of clubs surveyed say they have barriers for disabled people to participate in their clubs that need addressing.

Other key findings from the survey include:

• 55% of clubs have taken steps to include disabled people in their club (such as offering specialised and/or adapted equipment, accessible club facilities, tailored events and/or programs, upskilling coaches).
• But only 34% clubs are ‘fairly’ or ‘completely’ confident that their leaders and deliverers are able to meet the needs of disabled people, and
• Only 14% of clubs say it is 'essential’ or a ‘priority’ to enhance opportunities for disabled people in their community, and
• 68% of club boards discuss matters related to disability sport ‘rarely’ or ‘not at all’.

See the infographic or read more in the report on our website.

And check out the disability section of the Inclusivity Hub for a range of resources supporting inclusive practices, organisational policies, procedures and strategy.