Disability Sport & Recreation partners with etrainu to support disability inclusion in sport and active recreation

As the peak organisation for the disability sport and recreation sector in Victoria, DSR provides and promotes positive health outcomes for Victorians with disability through sport and recreation participation.

In 2024, the Allan Labor Government announced the recipients of its All Abilities Workforce and Sector Program 2024-27. DSR was one of two recipients, alongside Leisure Networks (another member of the etrainu community), of the $5 million fund aimed at helping more people get involved in sport, particularly in regional and rural Victoria.

The funding was the catalyst that brought the vision of an online learning and development hub to life. With these resources, DSR will create and deliver quality, relevant training through Inspire Group's learning and development content creation expertise, empowering people with disabilities to explore participation opportunities. DSR will draw on etrainu's platform capabilities to shape the learning hub and provide impactful learning outcomes. The goal is to increase participation on and off the field. 

The hub will be available for anyone in the disability sector, including people with disability themselves, carers, support workers/support persons, and managers or employers in sport, recreation, or disability organisations.

In the spirit of true inclusion, the hub's development was kicked off by inviting people with disabilities and managers from the sport and recreation sector to respond to a survey, empowering them to have their say and shape the future of training and learning opportunities in the sport and recreation sector. As the hub continues to develop, DSR will prioritise collaboration and co-design, drawing on insights from users to foster long-term sustainability and enhance participation.

Liz Tesone, CEO of Disability Sport & Recreation, said, “This partnership with etrainu marks an exciting step forward in breaking down barriers to inclusion in sport and recreation. By creating a tailored online learning and development hub, we’re not only providing accessible pathways for people with disability to engage, but also empowering them with the skills and opportunities to lead, work, and thrive in the industry — while building a more equipped, inclusive and disability-confident workforce across the sector.”

With their presence in the disability sector, NDIS-mapped training, and a dynamic learning management system (LMS), etrainu was perfectly positioned to support Disability Sport & Recreation in achieving DSR’s vision.

“At etrainu, our foundation was built on a simple but powerful idea: how can we provide regional and remote parts of the country with access to world-class learning opportunities? That question continues to guide everything we do,” said Paul Hoon, CEO of etrainu. “We see this partnership as an opportunity to combine our experience and technology with a shared commitment to community impact. We’re proud to contribute to a solution that brings high-quality education to the people and places that need it most."

Cameron O’Riordan, VP of Sales at etrainu, said, “This partnership is a wonderful opportunity for us because it brings together two sectors at the heart of what we do: disability and sport. Working across both industries has allowed us to see the incredible potential at their intersection. This collaboration is a natural extension of our brand, values, and our passion for creating inclusive, accessible learning experiences and enables us to support two communities that matter deeply to us. It’s not just a strategic fit; it’s a meaningful one.”

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About Disability Sport & Recreation

Disability Sport and Recreation is the health-promoting peak organisation for the disability sport and recreation sector in Victoria. DSR believes in the extraordinary power of sport and recreation to unite and motivate individuals living with disabilities, offering boundless opportunities.

DSR's mission is to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in all sports and recreation activities in Victoria, unlocking limitless possibilities for those living with disabilities. As the leader in Victorian disability sport and recreation for more than 60 years, DSR works in partnership with and consults Victorians with disability, carers, volunteers, sport and recreation sector representatives, disability service organisations, schools, researchers, health professionals, government, philanthropic organisations and community groups to fulfill their mission.

Each year, DSR celebrates excellence in the sector by hosting the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards and enhances knowledge about opportunities available to participate with the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Festival and other activation events. 

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About etrainu

etrainu are leaders in community education solutions. Through a sophisticated learning management system and engaging online courses, etrainu is changing the way we learn. Founded in 2007, etrainu has grown to over two million learners benefitting from hundreds of industry-tailored courses.

etrainu has partnered with some of the largest sports organisations in the world, including US Youth Soccer (USYS), Football Australia, PGA Tour, Hockey Australia, Gymnastics Australia, and Surf Life Saving Australia.