About Sporting Wheelies
Our Purpose
We make active lives possible.
Vision
Every Queenslander with a disability will have opportunities to live a more active and healthy life.
Mission
Engage, empower and develop people with a disability to live a more healthy, active and fulfilled life of their choosing.
History
Sporting Wheelies has its origins in the 1960s as a small sports club within the Paraplegic Welfare Association in Queensland. Sport for people with spinal cord injuries was gaining in popularity as a result of the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, and the ‘Queensland Sports and Social Club for the Disabled’ played an active role in promoting disability sport and raising funds for Queensland athletes selected for national and international competitions.
In 1977, the club became a registered charity in its own right as the Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Sport Association of Queensland and by the following year, the Association had extended its programs and services to include people with physical disabilities other than spinal cord injuries, including people with vision impairment. The decision was made to change to the current name to reflect the Association’s broader mission and capitalise on the popular term ‘sporting wheelies’ to describe wheelchair athletes.
Today, we are widely recognised as a leader in the field of sport and healthy activity for people with a disability by national bodies such as Sport Australia and Paralympics Australia.
Our Board of Directors and COO
Dane Cross, Chief Operating Officer
Dane Cross, the Chief Operating Officer at Sporting Wheelies, brings a wealth of expertise as an Access Consultant and advocate, with a distinguished career spanning various domains. With over 20 years of experience, including 17 years at PCYC Queensland, Dane has honed his skills in supporting community sport and recreation management, youth development, and crime prevention programs, collaborating with Queensland Police Officers and community development staff.
Transitioning to Spinal Life Australia, Dane assumed the role of Senior Advisor – Access & Advocacy, where he led (and continues to lead) the Access & Inclusion team. Drawing upon his combined education, professional experience, and lived experience in disability, advocacy, and access consulting Dane plays a pivotal role in driving positive change and shaping inclusive environments. Under his leadership, the Access & Inclusion team spearheads initiatives to promote accessibility and inclusivity across diverse sectors, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
As Chief Operating Officer at Sporting Wheelies, Dane continues to leverage his expertise to create a more inclusive and accessible future for all, building upon his extensive experience and commitment to driving positive social impact, both within the sporting arena and beyond.
Meet our Board
As Sporting Wheelies is now a part of Spinal Life Australia, its future direction is set by the Board of Spinal Life Australia. The day to day operations of Sporting Wheelies are guided by the Chief Operating Officer Dane Cross and the Executive Management Team of Spinal Life Australia. As a member-based organisation, all members of Spinal Life Australia are eligible to vote for directors and be involved in helping set the direction for the organisation by attending and voting at the Annual General Meeting.
Annual Report
Find out more about Sporting Wheelies and our achievements
Membership
Sporting Wheelies is a membership organisation. Association membership is open to everyone – people with a disability, family members, friends, supporters and volunteers. Everyone is welcome!
Join our Team
As a widely recognised leader in the field of sport and healthy activity for people with a disability by bodies such as Queensland Academy of Sport and Paralympics Australia, we offer a range of exciting career opportunities. Learn more about the diverse range of roles on offer within the Sporting Wheelies team.
Work with Us: A company with vision
At Sporting Wheelies, we are united by a vision: that Queenslanders with a disability will have opportunities to live a more active and healthy life.
Working together with our clients and members we support people with a disability from the bedside to the courtside by building inclusive community clubhouses that enhance lives through access to advocacy, rehabilitation, health and fitness, sport, and active recreation and social opportunities.
We are at our best when our team is as diverse and passionate as the communities in which we operate.
At Sporting Wheelies, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive workplace.
Work with Us: Our Culture & Values
At Sporting Wheelies, we pride ourselves as an inclusive workplace. We are a team first, and we accept the values, strengths, and differences we all bring to the workplace.
We encourage everyone in the Sporting Wheelies community to work collaboratively and share new ideas and innovations to help grow our organisation and each other.
We are proud of the successes we achieve through innovation, challenges, and change and we adopt a simple yet lean structure, while maintaining a solution focused mindset.
We truly believe we are able to flourish as a result of the way we treat the people we interact with – kindness, empathy and respect are key ingredients in how we interact with each other, our clients and volunteers.
Work with Us: Employee Rewards & Recognition
At Sporting Wheelies, we strive to build a workplace where you feel inspired, encouraged, and determined to deepen your unique sense of purpose.
We believe Sporting Wheelies is a pretty magical place where amazing people do remarkable things such as walk for the first time or relearn to walk after an injury. We recognise that our people are at the centre of making these moments happen. For this we want to ensure our staff are looked after with some awesome work perks.
Some of the benefits we currently offer our employees include:
- Salary packaging – This is one of the biggest benefits that come with the job. Salary Sacrificing allows you to increase your income by paying for certain expenses using pre-tax dollars including home mortgage, child care, school fees and credit card payments.
- Staff in-service days
- Engagement survey participation
- Regular townhall meetings to stay informed
- Microsoft Teams – internal networking
- Access to Employee Assistance Program providing confidential support for employees and their family members in areas such as family, legal, relationship, career, nutrition, and finance.
- Flexible Working Arrangements
- Use of the onsite gym after work hours
Applying for a Role
At Sporting Wheelies every day is an opportunity to contribute to changing someone’s life.
We have a strong focus on fostering an environment of equality and empowerment and promote positivity and cooperation. Whether you are an accredited exercise physiologist, personal trainer, sports officer, skilled support staff or game changer, there is a role for you at Sporting Wheelies.
If you are a candidate seeking an opportunity with Sporting Wheelies, then check out our open vacancies.
Don’t see a role we are advertising that is for you? Register your interest by emailing hradmin@spinal.com.au with your up-to-date resume and cover letter.
Job Application Support
If you have a Language or Cultural special consideration, a disability or impairment or use assistive technology, please contact us, so that we can help you complete and submit your application. You can ask someone to support you through the application and interview process.
We would like to give every potential applicant an equal opportunity to be considered for the role.
Current Opportunities
Casual Sports Coaches
Goalball, Boccia, Wheelchair Basketball, Para Powerlifting
We are seeking Casual Social Sport Coaches to join the team! We currently have vacancies within Wheelchair Rugby, Goalball Boccia and Wheelchair Basketball. As a Social Sport Coach, you will be responsible for leading the program sessions, acting in the role of coach for all activities, fostering and creating a fair and inclusive environment for all participants, attending professional development as required, and completing program reports.
Key responsibilities include:
- Coordinate volunteers/officials during the program sessions.
- Actively promote the program to increase participation numbers.
- Liaise with the venue during program sessions.
- Provide first aid where required during the program.
- Prior to informing players of any changes to the bookings or cancellation of programs inform the Sport Development Coordinator regarding the situation and discuss how this is going to be communicated to the participants.
- Record and report all program weekly attendances to the Sport Development Coordinator at the conclusion of each program session.
- Ensure participants are financial members of Sporting Wheelies and have paid their program fees before participating in the program.
- Identify participants with High Performance potential and inform the organisation accordingly.
Exercise Physiologist (Part Time)
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Deliver tailored exercise therapy and fitness programs that support strength, function, and independence.
- Conduct initial assessments, create personalised programs, and adapt plans based on client needs and goals.
- Collaborate closely with allied health professionals to ensure safe and effective outcomes.
- Be part of a friendly, professional team helping clients reach their potential — physically and mentally.
What We’re Looking For:
- Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology or equivalent
- ESSA accreditation (mandatory)
- Experience developing and delivering exercise programs independently
- A passion for helping people — especially those living with disability
- Current NDIS Worker Screening & Blue Card (or willing to obtain)
Why Join Us?
- Make a meaningful impact every day — more than just a job, this is purpose-led work.
- Salary packaging benefits to boost your take-home pay
- Flexible work arrangements to support your work–life balance
- Ongoing training, development, and career progression
- A collaborative, values-driven team that feels like family
Please submit your Resume and Cover Letter, telling us why you’re excited to join Spinal Life Australia and make a difference through your work.
Please contact Cheryl Varghese, Talent Acquisition Specialist on 07 3435 3165 if you have any questions.
Student Placements
Sporting Wheelies actively supports Queensland Universities programs in research and training undergraduate students. In the past year students from 6 Universities have received valuable practical experience at Sporting Wheelies.
