INCLUSION
At Ballarat Gymsports we are always looking for ways to involve everyone in some form of gymnastics activity, this is why we are proud in continuing to be a Gymnastics Victoria Inclusive Leader Club.
Gymsports coaches work alongside specialists within the disability carer and education sectors and continue to receive specialist training through industry specific workshops. The team are always looking forward to the next challenge to arrive, with a smile of course.
During 2016 our ‘Fuzzy Gym” program was a finalist in the 2016 Gymnastics Victoria Inclusive Initiative of the Year, plus in 2017 our participants and coaches featured in the Inclusive series video about Visually Impaired gymnasts.
In 2019, Ballarat Gymsports achieved even higher milestones by becoming the Special Olympics Ballarat – Gymnastics program centre and are represented on the local SOA committee assisting to guide other sports.
In 2026, we are excited to continue working in collaboration with SOA – Ballarat & Victoria, along with their partners to create and deliver new Gymnastics opportunities for those in the area of living with a disability whilst refocusing this on enhancing their abilities in sport. We are also excited to have Morgan Pearce, a young local Disability O/T who has returned to help us expand and create some of the most inclusive movement programs seen yet.
At Ballarat Gymsports we are honoured to work alongside some amazing organisations…
OUR PROGRAMS
STAR BOUND – ALL ABILITIES
Ballarat Gymsports has expanded it’s offerings and introduced a pathway for all participants within our inclusive programs being offered. Star Bound not only introduces new activities but also allows participants to go to the next level of participation by enabling them to compete in events under specially designed categories.
Our Star Bound program aims to build strength and inner confidence to foster happy, empowered participants regardless of physical or mental restrictions.
Through our Star Bound activities… anything is possible!
Through Star Bound activities, participants develop emotional self-awareness, gain executive functioning skills and practice social communication.
Star Bound Recreational is… Therapeutic… Recreational… Social Play
Sessions are designed for children, teenagers and adults who may be living with Autism, Vision Impairment, an Intellectual Disability, Physical Disability or something else that prevents them from joining a main stream program.
Our class size is kept to a low ratio, so we do ask that participants book in to the session.
In 2020 Ballarat Gymsports was asked and is still to today a voice championing and representing sporting persons with a disability and their families on the Local Area NDIS Ballarat Working Group.
We are very excited that in 2026, our Star Bound SO programs are continuing in an even bigger and better design, where our participants will have the opportunity to participate in special categories within the Gymnastics Victoria and Special Olympics programs of events.
2026 SESSION INFORMATION
FUZZY GYM
At Ballarat Gymsports we have the only gymnastics program in the area that caters for participants with a vision impairment. Fuzzy Gym allows participants with low vision to no vision at all, the thrill of experiencing tumbling, bouncing, swinging and so much more.
Our program has been so successful that it has resulted in nominations for inclusive awards and being a major participant in Gymnastics Victoria’s Blind Sports promotional video.
Our class size is kept to a low ratio, so we do ask that participants book in to the session.
FUZZY GYM has been an amazing success at gymsports over many years, and 2026 we excited to be developing even bigger plans to expand opportunities to our existing and new participants the opportunity to be actively involved in special categories within the Gymnastics Victoria programs of events as well as regional happenings.
2026 SESSION INFORMATION
ALL-ABILITY CHEERLEADING
In this program, any age athletes with any disability are encouraged to work together within their team to develop special stunt, tumble, dance, and jump skills. Routines for the athletes are designed to allow athletes to perform in competitions. All Ability cheer athletes are able to also compete in all the same competitions as their peer squads.
2026 SESSION INFORMATION
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Ballarat Gymsports is the Special Olympics centre for the many sports of Gymnastics events here in Ballarat. Staff have been specially selected and trained to understand the differing needs of athletes wishing to compete at local, state and national levels.
If these sessions interest you, please contact the reception for further details.