PLAY WELL: Ellie Cole on the ripple effects of making sport genuinely accessible

Swimmer Ellie Cole has spent most of her life adapting. Losing her leg aged three meant learning how to move differently, think differently, and push through moments most kids never face. That early resilience didn’t just make her a Paralympian - it shaped how she sees sport and who gets to take part in it.  Ellie’s clear about one thing: inclusive sporting spaces aren’t just for athletes with disabilities. When kids grow up training beside people with different bodies and different life experiences, they learn how to work with others, how to communicate, and how to build real community.  When more people can participate, everyone benefits. So if inclusion makes sport stronger, why not design every club that way?  +++  Sportish podcast is powered by the Australian Sports Commission and produced by Deadset Studios.   We’re spotlighting Australia’s sport participation strategy Play Well. You can find more resources at ausport.gov.au.   Ellie Coles’ book is Felix and His Fantastic Friends.   This episode was hosted by Libby Trickett and Georgie Trickett, produced by Luci McAfee with sound design by Melissa May. The Executive Producers are Kellie Riordan and Sarah Dabro. Ann Chesterman is the Production Manager.  We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this podcast was made. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.  We also recognise the outstanding contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to sport and celebrate the power of sport to tell stories and promote reconciliation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.