Athletics NSW and Maple Community Services: Supporting Your Athletic Journey with the NDIS
Athletics NSW, in partnership with Maple Community Services, is committed to making athletics accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Whether you’re already a seasoned athlete or just starting your journey, we’re here to help you navigate the NDIS and other available resources to support your athletic ambitions.
What is the NDIS?
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an Australian government initiative designed to provide support to individuals with disabilities, helping them achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. The NDIS offers funding for a range of services, including healthcare, education, employment, and social participation.
It also provides financial assistance for participating in sports and recreational activities, making it easier for people with disabilities to lead active and fulfilling lives.
What Does the NDIS Cover for Disabled People Looking to Get Into Athletics?
The NDIS can provide funding to support your participation in athletics. This might include covering the costs of:- Specialised equipment, such as adaptive running blades or other athletic gear.
- Support workers to assist you in participating in athletics or recreational activities.
- Travel and accommodation costs associated with attending sporting events or training.
- Membership fees for clubs or athletic programs.
To find out what support you might be eligible for, use our NDIS Eligibility Calculator to find out if you qualify for support under the NDIS.
Do Not Currently Have an NDIS Plan?
If you don’t already have an NDIS plan, you may be eligible. The process involves:
- Checking Eligibility:Use our Who is eligible for the NDIS quiz to understand whether you qualify in less than 2 minutes,
- What Funding Can I Get? Our NDIS calculator tells you how much funding you could receive in your NDIS plan.
- Applying: If eligible, submit an application to receive an NDIS plan.
- Using Your Plan: Once you have a plan, you can allocate funds towards your athletic goals.
Currently Have an NDIS Plan?
If you already have an NDIS plan, you’re well on your way to accessing the support you need to participate in athletics.
Here’s how you can use your existing plan to support your involvement in Athletics NSW Events:
- Review Your Plan: Check your current NDIS plan to see what supports are already included that can help with your athletic goals.
- Request a Plan Review: If your current plan doesn’t include funding for skill development or functional equipment, you can request a NDIS plan review.
This process allows you to update your plan to better reflect your needs.
- Allocate Funds: Work with your support coordinator or plan manager to allocate funds towards the specific athletic programs, equipment, or services you need.
- Connect with Maple Community Services: For expert assistance and guidance, reach out to the team at Maple Community Services. They can help you navigate your NDIS plan,
identify additional resources, and connect you with local Athletics NSW clubs or programs that offer inclusive sports opportunities.
About Maple Community Services
Maple Community Services is a leading provider of support services for individuals with disabilities across Australia. With years of experience and a deep commitment to inclusivity, Maple has become a trusted partner for thousands of NDIS participants, helping them achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives.
Our expertise in navigating the complexities of the NDIS, coupled with our passion for creating inclusive opportunities in sports, makes us a key player in this space.
We are proud to collaborate with Athletics NSW to ensure that everyone has the chance to enjoy and participate in athletics. Our core aim is to turn athletics into the most inclusive sport within Australia.
Classification
Athletes aged 8 years and above are eligible to obtain a classification.
For a physical impairment, please fill out the provision classification form found on the AA website here
Classifications
Physical Impairment classifications are conducted by Athletics Australia
Step 1: Fill out the provisional Classification form on the AA website here and sumbit application (along with medical supporting documents) here.
Provisional classification allows athletes to compete up to and including state level competitions.
Step 2: Athletes wishing to be natioanlly classified or currently hold a national classification with a "Review" status must attend a National Classification opportunity in order to compete at an Australian Championships.
Types of Classification:
T/F 31-38: Athletes with cerebral palsy
- F31-34: These athletes compete in a seated position, in a throwing chair.
- T32-34: These athletes compete in wheelchair racing events.
- T35-38: These athletes compete in running events.
- F35-38: These athletes compete in standing events.
- T/F 40-41: Athletes with short stature.
- T/F 42-44: Athletes with impairment in one or both legs, often requiring a prosthetic. Also includes athletes with impaired muscle power, impaired range of movement or leg length differences.
- T45-47: Athletes with impairment in one or both arms.
T51-54: Wheelchair athletes
- T51-52 have impairment in upper and lower limbs,
- T53 have fully functioning arms but no trunk function
- T54 have partial trunk and leg functions.
F51-57: Wheelchair field athletes
- F51-53 have limited function in shoulders, arms and hands and no trunk or leg function, such as athletes with a spinal cord injury.
- F54 have full arm and hand’s function.
- F55-57 have increasing levels of trunk and leg function.
- T/F 61-64 Athletes with a leg deficiency who compete with a prosthesis.
More information can be found here
Paralympics Australia is responsible for managing classification opportunities for athletes with a vision impairment.
Types of classification:
T11-13: Athletes in these classifications have varying levels of visual impairment.
Athletes in T (and F) 11 are required to wear eyeshades to ensure a fair competition.
More information can be found here
Deaf Sports Australia (DSA) is the national sports organisation that are responsible for Hearing Impaired classifications.
Athletes must first obtain an Audiogram through a hearing test. Once the athlete obtains an Audiogram they can complete stage 2.
Types of Classification:
T/F01
More information can be found here
Sport Inclusion Australia (SIA) are the national organisation responsible for classifying athletes with an Intellectual Impairment.
Tpes of classification:
T/F20
More information can be found here
Contact
If you have any questions regarding Para Athletes in NSW, please contact us here
If you have any further questions regarding physical impairments classification, please contact Jessica Pascoe jessica.pascoe@athletics.org.au or 03 8646 4577.