Show Notes
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.
More from Sportish
Federal Minister Anika Wells runs what we believe is the best of all portfolios: sport. From her days of playing and umpiring as a kid to setting up a parkrun on Brisbane’s northside that’s still operating today, Anika Wells understands that sports participation is crucial to community connection in an increasing digital world. Do we discuss Brisbane 2032? OF COURSE WE DO! But as exciting to us in the opportunity that sport has following the ban on social media.
Known for her near-death experience running the Australian outback, Turia Pitt has become a much-loved household name. What you might not know is that building off her own rehabilitation experience, she absolutely understands how to get women running, so much so that 4,000 women (and counting!) have changed their relationship with sport as a result. With an appreciation of needing to re-evaluate our relationship with sport, Turia’s now on a mission to make women feel safer while moving, all while raising two boys with her partner Michael.
You might know Jimmy Rees from his work on ABC’s Giggle and Hoot, or more recently, for his pandemic level comedy. So it should be no surprise that in his other roles; dad of 3 boys, sideline parent and u8 basketball coach, Jimmy knows what the biggest priority should be when it comes to sport: fun. Navigating a family that supported two rival AFL clubs and becoming an ‘old man basketball’ player in his 30s, Jimmy understands that sport gives communities the opportunity to come together and cheer for something bigger than themselves. From observing parents on the sidelines with blistering accuracy to reflecting on what’s best to say in the car after a game, Jimmy has an ability to remind us to not take this sporting life too seriously.
Katie Walker isn’t a household name, but she’s absolutely the coach we would run through a brick wall for. A former Queensland Firebirds netball player and assistant coach, Katie understands the importance of just getting started, moving your body and why you have to suck at something before you can be any good. She’s a mum of 4 sporty kids who's molding the current crop of junior netballers and at the same time, getting women who thought sport was long in their past to find community (and strength!) through exercise.
In a world dominated by hustle culture, optimisation and internet noise, author Brad Stulberg is sure of one thing – that we're going to crave things that make us feel alive. Like sport. Odds are, you’re already feeling it.... Brad Stulberg is a performance coach and bestselling author. His books on excellence have become essential reading for world-record holders and championship coaches alike. But Brad isn’t here to sell you “hustle culture”. His messages are simple, fundamental, and available to all of us.