75+ Wheelchairs.
Real Opportunity in Motion.
Creating access to sport, community, and confidence across Australia.
Through our partnership with the AFL, Maple Community Services is delivering 75+ purpose-built sports wheelchairs across Australia, helping remove one of the biggest barriers to participation and opening the door for more people with disability to get involved in sport.
Creating Real Opportunities Across Australia
sports wheelchairs delivered
para-athletics pathway supported
increase in participation
scholarships delivered
Real outcomes. Backed by action.
More Than Equipment. This Is Access.
For many people with disability, the barrier to sport isn’t motivation. It’s access. This initiative helps remove that barrier. By delivering specialised sports wheelchairs across Australia, we’re supporting more people to:
- Join a team
- Train and compete
- Be part of a community
- Experience belonging through sport
What Happens When Access Changes
When access is created, everything shifts. More people step onto the field. More communities become inclusive. More confidence is built over time. This initiative is part of a broader commitment to creating pathways, not just into sport, but into everyday life.
Inclusion in Action
See how access to sport is creating real opportunities across communities.
Maple’s Vision for Inclusive Sport in Australia
“Every wheelchair we donate goes to someone with their own story. Not just of movement, but of finding their place, their passion, and their power. The moment they’re in the game, it’s not about limitations, it’s about unlocking endless potential. We’re proud to be part of that journey. When people find where they belong, and they’re supported to chase what they love, incredible things happen. That’s what this is all about, opening doors, building confidence, and backing people to thrive.”
Irshad Mulla
CEO, Maple Community Services
How To Get Involved In Wheelchair Football
Whether you’re a person with disability who’s keen to try AFL Wheelchair, a family member looking for opportunities for your loved one, or a community club interested in becoming more inclusive, Maple Community Services and the AFL have pathways for you.
Click here to learn more about how to get involved in a local league.
Why Inclusive Sports Matter
Sport is more than a game, it’s community, confidence, and connection. That’s why Maple partners with the AFL to make football Australia’s most inclusive sport, through programs such as:
- Wheelchair AFL: Fast, competitive, and open to all abilities
- AFL Inclusion Leagues: Pathways for players with intellectual disabilities
- Blind AFL: Adaptive AFL for people with vision impairment
- Inclusive Auskick: Combines safety, belonging and competition
These programs, combined with the 75-wheelchair initiative, ensure people of all abilities can participate, compete, and thrive.
As a registered NDIS provider, Maple Community Services excels at helping participants navigate their plans to include recreational and sporting goals. If playing AFL or any sport is one of your aspirations, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may fund certain supports to help make that happen.
Getting involved is easier than you might think. Whether you need a sports wheelchair, adaptive sports gear, a support worker to attend training with you, or help with travel to games, Maple’s team is here to guide you through the process.
How to Access the NDIS
Thinking about how to get started with the NDIS, or wondering if it’s right for you?
Your sporting goals could be supported under NDIS funding for Social and Community Participation. That includes adaptive sports equipment (like a sports wheelchair), personal support for training, or transport to and from games.
Try our free NDIS Calculator to see how you can fund your sporting ambitions.
Get in touch with our team to explore supports that fit your lifestyle, goals, and interests including funding for sport and community participation.
Discover More Inclusive NDIS Supports with Maple
A Trusted & Leading NDIS Provider
10 Years of trust & expertise delivering full suite of support services
Australia Wide Services, supporting you wherever you are
Less Than 1 Week Turnaround For New Referrals
Accredited Team With One Contact Dedicated To Your Support
Person Centred Supports With 24/7 Updates & Check-in For Participants
400+ CALD Support Workers Speaking 25+ Languages
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maple's Wheelchairs Initiative?
It’s Maple Community Services’ nationwide program, in partnership with the AFL, to deliver 75 adaptive sports wheelchairs to clubs and communities across Australia. The initiative aims to make AFL more inclusive by providing the equipment needed to get more people with disability involved in sport.
Who can play AFL Wheelchair?
AFL Wheelchair is open to anyone that has mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and able-bodied participants. It’s a fun, fast-paced indoor version of AFL designed for inclusion.
Can the NDIS fund sports participation?
Yes. The NDIS can fund disability-related supports such as sports wheelchairs, transport, coaching, and personal support to help you achieve your goals in community participation and fitness. Maple can help you explore what’s possible and include it in your plan.
Do I need to be an NDIS participant to join inclusive AFL programs?
No. While many players are supported through the NDIS, anyone can participate in inclusive AFL programs. If you are an NDIS participant, your plan may help cover disability-related supports, such as adaptive equipment, transport, or a support worker, to make participation easier.
What types of sports can be supported through the NDIS?
The NDIS doesn’t limit which sports you can enjoy. The key is that the support must be related to your disability. Whether you’re interested in wheelchair basketball, swimming, athletics, or community fitness programs, Maple can help you plan the right supports and ensure your funding aligns with your lifestyle and goals.
How can Maple help me use my NDIS plan for sport and recreation?
Maple’s Support Coordination and Plan Management teams make it simple to use your NDIS funding for the activities you love. We’ll help you identify which funding categories — such as Social and Community Participation or Improved Health and Wellbeing — can support your sporting goals. From there, we can connect you with inclusive clubs, local programs, or adaptive sports providers that match your interests. Get in touch today.
Be Part of the Inclusion Movement
Catch the launch, follow the stories, and join the journey with us on socials. From the first wheelchair deliveries to everyday moments of connection, we’ll be sharing the heart and joy of what inclusion really looks like. This is where community comes to life and we’d love you to be part of it. Click the icons below to follow along and celebrate with us!
Enquire Today
If you want to be a part of community that takes action towards inclusion, get in touch.
From the field to your community, be part of something bigger. Together, we’re powering possibility through inclusion, access, and opportunity.
Inclusion is about more than just access, it’s about unlocking opportunity.
75 Wheelchairs. 1 Mission: Making Inclusive Sport Accessible Across Australia
AFL ABLE WITH MAPLE
Driving Inclusion in Sport: 75 Wheelchairs Across Australia
Australia’s love for AFL runs deep, and at Maple Community Services we believe everyone should get to share in that passion. Through our partnership with the Australian Football League (AFL), we’re on a mission to make footy, and sport, more inclusive for people of all abilities.
At Maple, we’re turning our commitment to inclusion into real action, by creating real opportunities for people with disability to get involved in sport. We’re donating 75 purpose-built sports wheelchairs to each state’s governing body, helping more Australians join a team, and experience the power of wheelchair football and adaptive sports.
Deliveries of these 75 sports wheelchairs begin January 13, extending the spirit of the AFL Open Inclusion Carnival across Australia. Because when everyone gets a fair go, everybody wins.