Supporting active goals for people with a disability

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

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

Annual Report 2022

Annual Report 2021

Annual Report 2020

Annual Report 2019

Annual Report 2018

Annual Report 2017

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!

Learn more

 

 

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 ourhr@sportingwheelies.org.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

Accredited Exercise Physiologist (Part Time)

We are expanding our team and looking for an Accredited Exercise Physiologist to join our highly regarded team.

The role

This position will provide specialist advanced therapy and related fitness services to clients, with a wide variety of disabilities including spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, and other neuromuscular conditions. Make your mark on this exciting role working with other health professionals ensuring the progression of client goals.

To be successful, you will:

  • Be an excellent communicator who works collaboratively with other health professionals as required.
  • Passionate about working with people with a disability.
  •  Have strong attention to detail, completing clinical and administrative documentation and reports in a timely manner.
  • Be confident in providing supervision, mentoring and education support to university clinical placement students as required.
  • High level customer service skills, including the ability to identify and support client needs, encourage client participation, and manage client expectations with a mature, sensitive, empathetic and positive manner.
  • Excellent active listening and negotiation skills.
  • Ability to be involved in work of a highly physical nature.
  • Confidence in delivering rehabilitation/exercise sessions for people with a range of disabilities, or the ability and eagerness to learn and develop clinical skills in working with people with disability. Experience working with people with neurological conditions highly regarded.
  • Experience in, or the ability and interest in delivering group sessions for people of all ages.
  • Demonstrated understanding and adherence to the principles underpinning person centered care, and the rights and responsibilities of people with a disability.

Learn more

Casual Sports Coaches

Wheelchair Rugby, 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.

Contact us

Game Changers – Driver

  • Casual
  • Previous experience driving a large van
  • Work with a leading not-for-profit organisation

The role

Game Changers are responsible for overseeing the Raising the Bar program and providing peer support and mentoring to people with a disability, parents carers, and support workers at Sporting Wheelies local programs and coordinating school visits to promote inclusive opportunities for students with a disability. We are currently looking for a driver to join the team.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Load and unload van with wheelchairs.
  • Transport Game Changers to and from events.
  • May also be required to drive other company vehicles such as minibus and Holden Captiva.
  • Creating a positive and welcoming atmosphere for participants, parents, carers and support workers to engage with you. 
  • Providing peer support and mentoring to participants, parents, carers and support workers around a healthy and active lifestyle, including advice and support on budgeting, transport, NDIS plans, support workers, equipment and pathways.
  • Handling enquiries and making connections with local schools about promotional talks and inclusive sport sessions promoting inclusion of students with a disability.

To be successful, you will have: 

  • Current driver licence and willingness to drive Association vehicles  
  • Current blue card (working with children check or the ability to attain one) 
  • Current yellow card (working with people with a disability)
  • Current first aid certificate with CPR  

Practical experience 

  • Previous experience driving a large van.
  • Experience driving an automatic vehicle with no hand controls or adaptions.
  • Practical experience or ability to acquire skills in peer support and mentoring.
  • Lived experience and/or experience working with people with a disability.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully meet deadlines, manage competing priorities and complete administration tasks accurately and in a timely manner.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by telephone. 

Raising the Bar

Casual positions available for our new Raising the Bar Program.

We are seeking to employ at least 25 Queenslanders living with a disability as Game Changers to create awareness and empowerment amongst the community.

Location: Various locations throughout Queensland.

For more information and a copy of the position description, please contact Raising the Bar, on (07) 3253 3333 today.

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.

Contact us

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