Sport is for Every Body

Please Subscribe, Follow, Rate and Share! 🎬IN THIS EPISODE🎬 🎙️ About our guest Sunaina is a 2025 Deakin Young Alumni Award finalist and is a sports management professional focused on expanding opportunities for women, girls, and underrepresented groups. Currently the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager at Surf Lifesaving Queensland. She's also a Worked with Tennis Australia and Tennis Queensland as well. Sunaina moved from India to Australia in 2015 and holds a Masters in Sports Management from Deakin University and a Bachelor in Sociology. Her expertise spans sports development, gender equity and even event management. 🔎 Highlights In this chat, we discuss Sunaina's role as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion professional in tennis and surf life saving. We explore her journey from India to Australia and highlight the importance of mentors and allies in DEI work. 00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgements 00:29 Guest Introduction: Sunaina Jaswal 02:59 Sunaina's Journey to Australia 06:40 Early Career and Transition to DEI 10:35 Challenges and Inspirations in DEI Work 16:37 Role at Surf Lifesaving Queensland 18:49 Developing a DEI Strategy 26:58 Measuring Success in DEI Initiatives 33:32 Engaging Priority Communities 35:26 Challenges in Promoting Inclusion 39:25 Understanding the 'Why' and 'How' of DEI 43:10 Current State of DEI in Australian Sports 49:06 The Importance of Allies and Mentors 55:43 Quickfire Questions and Top Inclusion Tip 58:32 Conclusion and How to Connect 🗒️ Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode (including links, resources and transcript) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast/ep10⁠ 🎧 More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👍 Follow ISD Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/IncSportDesign⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/incsportdesign⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/12952451⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IncSportDesign

Please Subscribe, Follow, Rate and Share! 🎬IN THIS EPISODE🎬 In this episode I talk with Ryan Redondo to hear about how he has been bringing tennis to diverse communities in San Diego, in the USA. 🎙️ About our guest Ryan Redondo is the CEO of Youth Tennis San Diego and the Barnes Tennis Center. Ryan has spent a career in racket sports, first as an all American tennis player, then as a developer of emerging junior American tennis talent. Ryan is also the tournament director of the WTA San Diego Open, and under Ryan's leadership, the Barnes Tennis Center is helping to educate and train future generations of American tennis talent from diverse backgrounds. 🔎 Highlights In this chat, we talk about Ryan's lifelong love of tennis and how through his work he is creating opportunities for diverse communities to get involved in tennis through low and no cost programs, community outreach, and opening up pathways in the sport for thousands of kids from diverse backgrounds. We also talk about the influence of his cultural background on the work that he's doing. And we touch on the importance of leadership for inclusion to happen. 00:00 Intro 03:11 Ryan's background 09:28 About YTSD and BTC 12:28 What programs are on offer? 17:31 Dealing with diversity 22:44 Building capacity of coaches 26:03 Wheelchair programs 29:39 Impact of scholarships 33:35 Inclusive leadership 36:57 Encountering resistance 45:10 Quickfire questions 50:30 Ryan's top inclusion tip 53:44 Wrap up 🗒️ Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode (including links, resources and transcript) at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast/ep09⁠ 🎧 More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ 👍 Follow ISD Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/IncSportDesign⁠⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/incsportdesign⁠⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/12952451⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IncSportDesign

The Levelling the Deck Podcast aims to promote inclusivity and equity in the world of swim coaching and teaching. In this episode, our host Michael Woods leads a discussion on inclusion and equity for women in swim coaching. Our guests Joanne Love, Janelle Pallister, Marty Roberts, and Ash Delaney share their experiences and insights on the challenges faced by women in the swim coaching industry. Some of the topics covered in the episode include: The current landscape for women in sport and swimming coaching ​ The barriers and biases faced by women in the coaching profession ​ Strategies for creating a more equitable and inclusive coaching environment The role of men in advancing gender equity in swimming Key takeaways: Self-esteem plays a significant role in the advancement of women coaches. ​ Those with strong self-esteem tend to progress, while those with low self-esteem often struggle to move up the ranks. ​ Opportunities and biases also impact the advancement of women coaches. ​ Some women face barriers in terms of employment opportunities and recognition, while biases and stereotypes can limit their growth. Men have a crucial role to play in advancing gender equity in the swimming sector. ​ They can listen, challenge biases, create space for women's voices, and collaborate with women coaches to create a more inclusive and equitable environment. ​ About our guests: Joanne Love: Australian Dolphin, elite coach and researcherJanelle Pallister: Australian Dolphin and Co-Coach at the Gold Coast High Performance HubMarty Roberts: Australian Dolphin and Head Coach of the Canberra Paralympic High Performance Hub ​Ash Delaney: Australian Dolphin and Head Coach  ​ People mentioned: ​ Anna Walker: Program designer at Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia ​ Michael Bohl: Coach at the Gold Coast High Performance Hub ​ Brendan Ward: CEO of Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia Resources: Levelling the deck websiteSWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia websiteAUSPLAY Survey Data - Women in SportSwimming Australia Independent Panel Recommendations ResponseInclusive Sport Design website The Levelling the Deck Podcast is Produced by Inclusive Sport Design for SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia.

Please Subscribe, Follow, Rate and Share! 🎬IN THIS EPISODE🎬 This is episode 08 and today I talk with Brendan Aylward who is working hard to make the fitness industry more inclusive for people with disability in the United States and beyond. 🎙️ About our guest Brendan Aylward is the owner of Unified Health and Performance, President of AdaptX, and Director of The Rick Hoyt Research Lab. His work revolves around making the fitness industry more accessible for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. 🔎 Highlights In today's chat, we discuss how Brendan found his way into this work as well as how he engages clients and adapts his programs and the gym environment. We also learn about some of the amazing work he is doing to educate gym instructors and owners to create inclusive gym environments for people of all abilities. 00:00 Introduction 02:13 Brendan's Backstory 06:29 About Unified Health and Performance 09:05 The need for adaptive equipment in the gym 11:28 People with and without disability in the gym 15:37 Engaging clients 21:22 Networks and partnerships 23:04 Adapting training sessions 29:03 Retaining clients 31:58 How clients are funded 34:27 Accessibility in the gym 39:19 About AdaptX 46:46 Quickfire questions 50:28 Brendan top inclusion tip 52:27 How to connect with Brendan 53:22 Conclusion 🗒️ Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode (including links, resources and transcript) at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast/ep08⁠⁠⁠ 🎧 More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠ 👍 Follow ISD Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/IncSportDesign⁠⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/incsportdesign⁠⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/12952451⁠⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IncSportDesign

Please Subscribe, Follow, Rate and Share! 🎬IN THIS EPISODE🎬 This is episode 07 and today I talk with Ryan Storr to discover how he has been influencing inclusion in sport through research and practice in Australia. 🎙️ About our guest Dr. Ryan Storr is a multidisciplinary researcher and consultant and is the Founder and Director of the Diversity Storr, a Melbourne-based diversity and inclusion consultancy. His PhD explored how diversity is understood and enacted within organizational contexts and has led several large scale research projects exploring LBTQI+ inclusion within sport and movement settings, and he is helped shape national and international policies and practices through that work. Ryan also founded LGBTQI+ sport charity Proud to Play. 🔎 Highlights In today's chat, we hear Ryan's insights into what inclusion and diversity looks like inside organizations. Plus we chat about LGBTQI+ inclusion and hear about some of Ryan's groundbreaking work over the last few years. We also shine a light on an often overlooked issue that's faced by people with lived experience working in the inclusion field. 00:00 Introduction 04:12 Ryan's backstory 09:21 Ryan's motivations 12:30 Ryan's research 14:49 Inclusion in sport clubs 20:54 LGBT issues and homophobia 22:05 About Proud2Play 23:52 Ryan's LGBT work 29:15 What work still needs to be done? 34:21 Impacts of inclusion work on practitioners 44:25 About the Diversity Storr 50:44 Quickfire questions 54:36 Ryan's top inclusion tip 56:00 ISD Academy 57:51 Conclusion 🗒️ Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode (including links, resources and transcript) at ⁠⁠https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast/ep06⁠⁠ 🎧 More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at ⁠⁠https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast⁠⁠ 👍 Follow ISD Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/IncSportDesign⁠⁠  Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/incsportdesign⁠⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/12952451⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IncSportDesign

Please Subscribe, Follow, Rate and Share! 🎬IN THIS EPISODE🎬 This is episode 06 and today I talk with Emily Ayles to discover how she goes about connecting people with disability to sport through her work at Novita in South Australia. 🎙️ About our guest Emily Ayles is the connectability project officer at Novita, which is a leading disability service provider in South Australia. Emily has been delivering the Connectability service at Novita for over 12 years, and like me, and hopefully like you Emily loves to see the difference that sport can make in people's lives. In addition to this, Emily is a national classifier for the Paralympic sport of Boccia and is an experienced practitioner in Para-sport and adaptive physical activity. 🔎 Highlights In today's chat, we talk about how Emily links participants to sport options that meet their needs, and we also discuss some of the barriers and challenges that her clients face, and more importantly, how to overcome those. 00:00 Intro 02:59 About Emily 10:09 About Connectability 17:17 Emily's process 20:35 Barriers 27:35 Success story 34:12 Role of the NDIS 41:35 Sport and rec in day services 48:04 Quick fire questions 53:29 Emily's inclusion tip 55:07 Conclusion 🗒️ Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode (including links, resources and transcript) at ⁠https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast/ep06⁠ 🎧 More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at ⁠https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast⁠ 👍 Follow ISD Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/IncSportDesign⁠  Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/incsportdesign⁠  LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/12952451⁠ YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IncSportDesign

🎬IN THIS EPISODE🎬 This is episode 05. And today I am with Jessica Scannell to learn how she is making inclusion in sport happen for multicultural communities through her work at Welcoming Australia. 🎙️ About our guest Jessica Scannell originally from Ireland has played basketball at an elite level, has lived a migrant experience in multiple countries and now calls Melbourne, Australia home. She has experienced first hand the power sport has to heal and develop a sense of belonging for people from migrant backgrounds and people with disabilities and is determined to create more opportunities for more people to access all the benefits she has gained through a life of sport. 🔎 Highlights 00:00 Intro 03:52 About Jessica 13:46 About Jessica' s work 16:11 What ensure success? 21:39 Connecting with the target audience 27:24 Adapting to participants needs 33:46 Funding 36:49 Trauma informed practice 45:47 Quick fire questions 49:08 Jessica's best inclusion tip 50:48 How we make the podcast accessible 53:51 Conclusion 🗒️ Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode (including links, resources and transcript) at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast/ep05 🎧 More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast 👍 Follow ISD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IncSportDesign  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/incsportdesign  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/12952451 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IncSportDesign

🎬IN THIS EPISODE🎬 This is episode 04 and today I talk with Andrea Carey to learn how she is influencing outcomes in inclusive and Para-Sport across Canada through a range of amazing initiatives and projects. 🎙️ About our guest Andrea Carey is a highly credentialed Canadian inclusion practitioner who works to support clients and partners to create cultures of belonging and inclusion. She has worked extensively on inclusion and improved access for indigenous peoples new arrivals, persons with disabilities, as well as women and girls. But in her day job, Andrea runs Inclusion Incorporated, which is a diversity, equity, inclusion consulting firm that works with clients across Canada. Andrea is also the co-founder and current executive director of One Ability, a nonprofit dedicated to providing sport opportunities for people with disabilities of all ages. She's also co-chair of the Canadian National Para Collective, which is an initiative that Andrea co-founded in 2020, and Andrea's also spent 10 years with the Canadian Paralympic Committee as board director and chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and, currently sits on the Board of Kids Sport Victoria. 🔎 Highlights 00:00 Intro 02:32 About Andrea 08:20 About One Ability 12:35 What is Collective Impact? 13:45 Benefits of working together 19:16 Building connections and understanding needs 23:10 Things that shifted Andrea's thinking 25:04 Minorities are the majority 29:09 Maintaining connections 32:51 Importance of education 35:34 How to maintain quality of delivery 38:24 How to keep people involved 42:17 Role of geography 43:46 Role of resources 46:58 Andrea's burning issue 51:44 Quickfire questions 57:14 Andreas best inclusion tip 58:20 Conclusion “...we have to kind of keep at the forefront in all of this work that term nothing about us without us, and be really intentional about ensuring that we have voices at the table with lived experience. All the time.” “...if we start with yes, we open that door and we create space for something to transpire. And I think that's really important advice right now and sort of thinking about how we create more inclusive spaces, how we create a world that leans into equity and that supports people to belong.” 🗒️ Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode (including links, resources and transcript) at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast/ep04 🎧 More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast 👍 Follow ISD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IncSportDesign  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/incsportdesign  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/12952451 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IncSportDesign

🎬IN THIS EPISODE🎬 This is episode 03 and today I talk with Lauren Schwaar to explore how she's shaping the future of sport by measuring the impacts of what we do. Plus we talk about Lauren's coaching experience in multiple countries and how religion influences Lauren's life and work. 🎙️ About our guest Lauren is a basketball coach turned tech entrepreneur that was inspired to solve the pain and measurement of evaluation after completing a master's degree in sport policy. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Lauren has lived in multiple countries, coached basketball around the world, and is building her tech startup Fathom Performance. Now, Fathom Performance is an app that aims to change the way we demonstrate impact both in the sporting industry and for our inclusion efforts everywhere. Lauren is working to make it possible to evaluate inclusion initiatives more effectively and accurately so they can be improved, scaled and reproduced. 🔎 Highlights 00:00 Sport is for Every Body Podcast Ep03 - Lauren Schwaar - cut 00:00 Introduction 02:46 About Lauren 06:03 Lauren's coaching experience 09:03 Role of religion in Lauren' s life 19:15 Religious tensions in sport 22:03 Getting into sport policy 27:12 Measurement challenges 35:44 What makes good impact measurement 46:28 Quickfire questions 50:25 Lauren's top inclusion tip 51:22 Wrap up “So if everybody is able to see a little bit more clearly and objectively, What their efforts are translating into you know, that creates a wealth of benefits for everybody involved. So that's our goal is to make change more visible.” “One of the best starting places though, for any organization that wants to do better monitoring and evaluation is to sit down and think about the outcomes that they actually theorize or think are, are being achieved through their programming.” 🗒️ Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode (including links, resources and transcript) at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast/ep03 🎧 More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast 👍 Follow ISD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IncSportDesign  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/incsportdesign  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/12952451 YouTube: @incsportdesign

🎬IN THIS EPISODE This is episode 02 and today I talk with Lisa Drennan about how she is helping sport and recreation providers create opportunities for people with diverse abilities across the USA. 🪪About our guest Lisa is an innovative inclusion leader. She's committed to building inclusive communities and demonstrated that over 38 years. She's been supporting people with disabilities and diverse abilities in the care, community sport, recreation, summer camps sectors across the USA. Through her business Merge Inclusion Consulting she supports and advises a wide variety of community organisations including YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, sports teams, leagues, scouts, schools. You name it, she's done it. She's also the Adjunct Professor of Adaptive Physical Activity at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. 🔎Highlights 00:00 Intro00:51 About Lisa 02:08 Welcome03:06 Lisa's Backstory06:09 What is Merge?07:00 Working on both side of the "bridge"09:21 Pathways to Friendship Toolkit13:22 The importance of friendship15:49  What creates successful inclusion?21:35 How to connect with people with disability 28:35 The need for strong relationships30:59 The importance of education35:42 What do inclusive activities look like? 38:51 Building links to pathways43:47 Quickfire questions52:19 Lisa's top inclusion tip54:54 Conclusion 🎓 Check out the Inclusive Sport: A Pathway Towards Friendships Masterclass with Lisa here. 🗒️Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode (including links, resources and transcript) at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcasts/ep02. 🎧More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast. 👍Follow ISD Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IncSportDesignInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/incsportdesignLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/12952451YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCECVtQQFNjuGxE35K_e06Eg

🎬IN THIS EPISODE This is episode 01 and today I talk with Jason Webber about how he is kicking goals for inclusion in Welsh Football. 🪪About our guest Jason is an expert & leader in inclusion & integrity in sport with over 10 years experience educating & advising a wide range of stakeholders. Currently, Jason is working in the Football Association of Wales & he's been integral in advancing the association's programs & impacts. 🔎Highlights 0:00 Introduction3:14 State of inclusion in Welsh sport7:45 PAWB Inclusion Strategy16:30 Partnerships and networks24:50 Tips for clubs30:45 Promoting to new audiences32:25 Importance of education38:34 Quickfire questions41:32 Jason's best inclusion tip "…the biggest tip I think is make sure you are doing something day in, day out to really make a difference to people's lives. You know, from a practical perspective." "I think that's so important for anyone, ...to understand different areas of equality, diversity, & inclusion so that you know, whether you are in that Equality Champion lead role or, or a coach or anyone that you can really understand as much as possible." 🗒️Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcasts/ep02 🎧More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast 👍Follow ISD FacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTube

Hi! I'm Michael Woods, Founder of Inclusive Sport Design (ISD) and your host for the ISD Podcast. 🎬IN THIS EPISODE This is Episode 00 where I introduce you to who I am, what I do and what the ISD Podcast is all about. I hope you join me to learn from amazing people who are making inclusion happen in sport. Remember. Sport is for Every Body! 🔎Highlights 0:00 Intro0:46 What is ISD?4:35 Who is Michael Woods?9:18 Why I do what I do14:49 Goals for the ISD Podcast15:27 Summary and next steps "...the best way I can summarize this is, is really Inclusive Sport Design is all about taking you from saying, "Yeah, anyone's welcome" to saying, "Hey, this is how we welcome everyone". And I guess that that's probably the best way to sum it up." "...the things that I really enjoyed while I was, you know, a competitive person, I wasn't an elite athlete by any stretch of the imagination. But you know, being part of the team, building those social connections with friends, being fit and healthy, all those things I think are really important…But, when I was young…I didn't really understand how important, how valuable that that really could be. And certainly I didn't have the concept that my experience wasn't the same experience as everyone else's. That came later. So I guess there's a motivation for me to ensure that what I experienced is something that is available and on offer to everyone." 🗒️Full Show Notes Get the full show notes for this episode at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcasts/ep02 🎧More ways to watch and listen Find all the ways you can watch and listen at https://www.inclusivesportdesign.com/podcast 👍Follow ISD FacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTube