Support & Connect Wins State Award for Disability-Inclusive Football Initiative

ADELAIDE, Australia - Jan. 21, 2026 - PRLog -- Support & Connect has been recognised as the Disability Inclusion Ambassador of the Year for the West Adelaide region at the SANFL Community Awards, following its pioneering partnership with the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) to create accessible pathways for people with disabilities in community football. The initiative has already helped young people transition from inclusive clinics into competitive under-13s and under-11s teams.

The partnership addresses a critical gap in grassroots sport: the lack of structured programs enabling people with disabilities to participate in football as players or volunteers. Director Dylan Blackley identified that whilst many organisations express commitment to inclusion, few provide the practical resources needed to make participation genuinely accessible.

"There's always some sort of program put in place, but it never really works because they just don't have the facilities, resources, or knowledge to actually make it inclusive," said Dylan Blackley, Director at Support & Connect. "We're providing expertise in disability support to create programs that actually function and are sustainable long-term."

The collaboration has delivered tangible results, including an inclusive football clinic that welcomed participants from age eight to 38. Several young attendees have since joined competitive teams.

"Watching their smiles when they were running around, some in wheelchairs being wheeled around by teammates, they were all on the same level working as a team. The smile on their faces was priceless," Blackley said.

Support & Connect brings specialist disability knowledge including communication strategies, appropriate resources, and individualised support planning. The organisation is developing a volunteer coordination service to match people with disabilities to suitable roles within football clubs.

Parents have responded enthusiastically, with families continuing to enquire about future clinics. Support & Connect is now in discussions with the SANFL to establish regular programs, potentially including half-time exhibition matches and club-based volunteer opportunities.

"For these things to be sustainable, we need more than just one person backing this," Blackley explained. "It's going to be a team effort."

Support & Connect aims to establish at least five inclusive clinics annually across SANFL clubs, alongside a comprehensive volunteer coordination program.

About Support & Connect: Support & Connect provides personalised disability support and mentoring services with a focus on community, independence, and empowerment. Visit https://supportandconnect.com.au to learn more.