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What is Inclusive Sports Coaching?

John Lonergan
Head Coach and Founder
We all want to feel included, it's a basic human right
Using physical activity is a key to social engagement and skills which assist in engaging in the community.
All our mentors have a passion for for physical activity, engaging in the community at clubs and helping those with a disability. For example we use skill development for participants who struggle to engage at recess/lunch/PE at school. We also help teens and adults to build the communication and social skills to join or stay within a club or group environment.
As well as a professional career of over 20 years in the IT industry managing large teams spread across the Asia Pacific region, I've also had a diverse and wide-ranging list of roles in Cricket. I believe this diversity and mix of club and representative levels of playing and coaching provides a strong basis to pass on my knowledge and help athletes become the best they can be.
Head Coach Australian Cricket Team for Players with an Intellectual Disability (2016-2024)
Director and Women's Head Coach at Southern District Cricket Club
Men's Development Coach Southern District Cricket Club
Team Coach and Wicket Keeping Specialist Coach at St Peters Collegue
Assistant Coach Australian Cricket Team for Players with an Intellectual Disability (2014-2016)
Coaching Roles at Goodwood Cricket Club
Director of Coaching/Head Coach Northern Districts Cricket Club
Inaugural Coach of South Australian Special Olympics Cricket Team at the first National Championships
Open Mens South Australian Indoor Cricket Coach (2003-2005 and 2009-2015)
Various SA Masters Indoor Cricket Coaching roles (Over 30 Men, Over 35 Men, Over 30 Women)
Ad Hoc Coaching assistance to various teams as requested
I'm also on the Committee of Taverners SA (Home - Taverners Australia) which is a charitable organisation supporting athletes with a Disability or Disadvantaged to pursue their sporting dreams.
John has a Working with Children Check, has completed the NDIS mandatory training modules, and also the "Improving Sport for Athletes with an Intellectual Disability" online course from Special Olympics Australia.
And most importantly I'm married to Lesley, and have a daughter Tyler and a son Sean. We live in Goodwood, South Australia.
Mentors also engaged with Inclusive Sports Coaching are shown below. We are always interested in talking to people who have the desire and skills to deliver our 1 to 1 sessions with people with a Disability. Even if you only have time to do 1 x 1 hour session per week for a client, that allows us to provide one extra person access to our 1 to 1 service.
Syed Mohsin
Syed works with a number of clients delivering our Jump Start program, and also has coaching qualifications in Cricket and Soccer. Located in the Northern Suburbs of Adelaide.
Emanuel Dau
Emanuel has a Cert 3 in Disability Support, and is a qualified Basketball Coach. He also has a passion for soccer having grown up playing it.
Sam Hill
Sam is a young man starting to study a Disability Certificate, and while he's doing that is working with a number of clients with physical and intellectual disabilities helping them enjoy sports and improve their skills and self esteem. Sam has some lived experience, and is a keen sports person playing AFL (Level 1 Coach) and Cricket in the Adelaide Hills.
Taine Harding
Taine is building his own business working in the Disability sector, and in the mean time is enjoying working with some clients on general ball skills and skill development. Taine is a very keen soccer player, and also has experience coaching juniors across a range of activities. He has some lived experience within his family, and so understands the patience and messaging needed. Taine is located in Flagstaff Hill.
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