The All Abilities Badminton Program in Ballarat, Victoria, offers an inclusive, non-competitive badminton experience tailored for people with disabilities. Supported by the Ballarat Badminton Association with free venue access and equipment, the program removes financial barriers and ensures accessibility.Weekly adaptive sessions cater to various needs, such as wheelchair users and those requiring modified equipment, in a flexible, drop-in format. Additional initiatives include targeted marketing, collaboration with disability networks, and opportunities for participants to assist with small roles to build confidence. The program will also document its learningsto create an online resource for other regional clubs, promoting sustainable inclusive badminton programs across Victoria.

Outcomes

• Provide regular, structured badminton sessions for people with disabilities. Making participation more accessible by removing financial barriers.  
• Strengthened Community engagement through consistent sessions. Come & Try events and outreach through disability networks to ensure more people are aware.
• Develop badminton skills in a supportive and non-competitive environment. Options to assist in session logistics, building leadership skills and encouraging long-term engagement.
• Fostering an inclusive sporting culture where all abilities can play together to create a more diverse and welcoming environment within the Ballarat Badminton Association.
• An online resource with compiled learnings from the program, providing best practices, templates, and recruitment strategies for other regional clubs to create a lasting impact by encouraging more clubs across Victoria to adopt inclusive badminton initiatives.

All Abilities Badminton Club Resource Toolkit

This toolkit has been developed to help badminton clubs across Victoria create welcoming and accessible opportunities for people with disability.

It brings together practical guidance, consultation findings and planning tools to support clubs at different stages of their inclusion journey.

The toolkit contains three resources:

1. A Practical Guide for Clubs

Provides practical guidance for clubs looking to establish or improve inclusive badminton opportunities, including:

• Understanding participant needs and preferences.

• Creating welcoming and accessible environments.

• Adapting coaching and badminton activities.

• Supporting social connection and skill development.

• Reducing barriers to participation.

• Developing sustainable programs.

2. Ballarat Consultation – Lessons Learned

Shares insights from the experiences of participants, the coach and the program administrator involved in the Ballarat All Abilities Badminton Program.

The case study explores what encouraged people to participate, what helped them remain engaged, what worked well and what challenges arose during delivery.

It also identifies practical learnings that other badminton clubs can consider when developing their own inclusive activities.

3. Club Readiness Checklist and Planning Worksheet

A practical planning tool to help clubs assess their readiness to welcome participants with disability.

The worksheet supports clubs to identify accessibility considerations, plan inclusive sessions, clarify roles and responsibilities, and gather feedback to improve their programs.

Download: All Abilities Badminton – Club Resource Toolkit (PDF) - see below