Programs – Welcoming Clubs

About Us

Welcoming Clubs supports and delivers a number of community programs, activations and activities that drive inclusion and embrace the power of sport as a vehicle for belonging. Our partners and supporters share our vision for creating sporting spaces that are safe and welcoming for all members of the community.

Welcome to the Game

Since 2019, Welcome to the Game has supported children & young people from diverse backgrounds, living with a disability to access sport & recreation in their local community.

Through community capacity building, partnership and direct delivery the programs supports the establishment of equitable opportunites for those new to sport and recreation activities.

Funded through the Federal Government Department of Social Services.

Active Women's Project

The Active Women Program is a free, culturally inclusive initiative supporting women, particularly those aged 30 to 55 from migrant and minority ethnic communities, to build confidence, improve wellbeing and connect through physical activity.

The program combines community-led recreation with opportunities for women to build skills, confidence and leadership, while supporting councils, clubs and organisations to strengthen culturally safe and inclusive practice.

Women are returning to physical activity, trying new sports, forming friendships, volunteering and exploring leadership and coaching pathways — building the confidence to stay involved and contribute within their communities.

The Active Women Program is funded by the Australian Government through the Play Our Way program.

Upstander Anti-racism training for community sports clubs

The Upstander Program supports clubs and sporting communities to build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to respond to and prevent racism and discrimination.

Through the Upstander Framework and interactive, scenario-based learning, participants explore how to take effective action and contribute to safer, more inclusive sporting environments. Clubs also receive practical resources to support ongoing action and conversations beyond the session.

STARS Upstander Trainer Accreditation Program

The STARS Upstander Trainer Accreditation Program equips sport and community leaders to become accredited Upstander Trainers, able to deliver Upstander training within their own organisations and communities.

Developed by Welcoming Australia and the University of Melbourne’s STARS Project, the program builds the skills and confidence to facilitate Upstander learning and grow anti-racism capability across the sporting sector.

The All Abilities Club Mentor Project

This intensive mentoring project supported local sport and recreation clubs to establish and sustain All Abilities skill development programs for children with additional support needs.

Clubs received specialised training for coaches, delivery resources and initial support to plan sessions and run programs.

The following associations and clubs have established ongoing Inclusion Programs:

Council Sponsored Activities

Councils have an important role to play in providing leadership and guidance for clubs to ensure their membership is reflective of their community.

Welcoming Clubs works closely with councils across Australia to design and deliver projects to support their community clubs to advance inclusive practice and promote welcome and inclusion.

Welcoming Cities has over 100 member councils across Australia, representing over 60% of the population. Member councils can access Welcoming Clubs resources and learning experiences through their state coordinator.

About Welcoming

Welcoming Australia exists to cultivate a culture of welcome and create a future where people of all backgrounds have equal opportunity to belong contribute and thrive

Welcoming Clubs is an initiative of Welcoming Australia, proudly supported by the Scanlon Foundation.

Acknowledgement

Our work is conducted on the stolen lands and waters of First Nations representing hundreds of clans and language groups. We acknowledge that our lives have benefitted from theft and dispossession and that we have a responsibility to support the efforts of Indigenous peoples as they work towards self-determination, sovereignty and land back. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.