Military and Invictus Games alumnus Rachel Kerrigan says sport transformed her life - and she's committed to ensuring all Australians, particularly those with disability, have the same opportunity to experience its benefits.
"Sport gave me purpose, connection, and a path forward when I needed it most," Kerrigan said, who is now the Senior Project Manager at Future Skills Organisation and an AI Inclusion Leader.
Kerrigan is one of ten experts appointed to the new Disability Sport Advisory Group (DSAG), established under the national Play Well Strategy.
The group will advise the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) on disability inclusion in sport, lead the development of a national Disability Sport Action Plan, and bring sporting bodies, governments and communities together to expand opportunities for people with disability to participate, coach, volunteer and lead.
"Now through DSAG, I'm honoured and excited to be part of a team that will help shape a national direction that embeds inclusion into the DNA of our sport systems," she said.
"This work is about more than access-it's about building a future where every person with disability can lead, participate, and thrive in sport and beyond."
The group includes several professionals with dual careers, such as five-time Paralympian Matthew Levy OAM, now a Senior Consultant at Deloitte.
"I am thrilled to be appointed as part of this group. It will be great to share our experience, insights and knowledge," Levy said.
The group represents a diverse mix of national sporting organisations, universities, inclusion-focused bodies and the corporate sector.
Disability and Inclusion advocate Katie Kelly emphasised the broader impact of this work.
"There is so much opportunity across Australian sports to optimise and improve participation of all Australians with disability in sport," Kelly added.
"By doing this, we will improve many positive benefits to improve lives including health, community and economic outcomes. This Advisory Group is an important step in ensuring that the action plan is relevant and is designed with lived experience of people in sport and with disability."
The group will meet for the first time later this month.
Sonia Gouveia, Badminton Australia's National Participation Manager said: "I'm thrilled to join the Play Well DSAG to help shape a meaningful action plan that advances inclusive, sustainable opportunities for people with disabilities to play, learn, and lead in Australian sport. Representing Badminton's vision of 'A Sport for Life' and driven by personal passion, it's essential we set ourselves up for success to make real long-term change."
Dane Cross, Sporting Wheelies Chief Operating Officer said: "I'm honoured to join the DSAG and contribute to a bold reimagining of how people with disability connect with sport and community. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a system that's more inclusive, more aligned, and driven by lived experience."
Dr Brad Stenner, University of South Australia Allied Health and Human Performance Senior Lecturer said: "I am excited to join the DSAG and work towards expanding sporting opportunities for people with disabilities. Sport has the potential to contribute to the lives of people with disabilities across both high performance and community level, and I look forward to contributing to this exciting initiative."
Jessica Scannell, Welcoming Australia Project Coordinator said: "I'm extremely grateful to be invited to participate in the Disability Sport Action Group. I see the DSAG as a vital opportunity to build on the incredible work already happening in the inclusive sport space, and to help drive the change we still need to see across Australia."
Kiri Penter, Gymnastics Australia Participation Growth Manager: "I'm excited to contribute what I've learned across all levels of sport, from community clubs to national programs, to help shape inclusive, meaningful experiences that actually work in practice."
Chantel Lewis, Sport Inclusion Australia General Manager & Life Stream Australia's Community Sport Coordinator said: "I'm passionate about creating inclusive sport pathways, and I'm thrilled to collaborate with others through DSAG to ensure people with a disability are not just included, but valued and visible in every aspect of sport."
Kerry Tavrou, Tennis Australia Head of Inclusion & Diversity said: "I am excited and really looking forward to contributing towards the future of sport participation for people with disability."
