Inclusion. Participation. Confidence through Movement.

Sports Occupational Therapy

At Foundations Therapy & Support in addition to traditional Occupational Therapy we offer Sports Occupational Therapy or Sports OT. Sports is a meaningful task which all individuals should be allowed the experience to enjoy and have success within. Sports OT is designed to help individuals improve their participation, confidence and success in sports through building the foundations for positive outcomes.

Why Sports & OT?

Sport offers a unique opportunity to improve physical skills, self-belief, and social interaction. Thoughtful adaptation can allow every child to thrive in a team or sporting setting. Sport OT can be powerful tool for: 

  • Developing gross motor coordination and physical confidence

  • Supporting emotional regulation and sensory needs

  • Enhancing social participation and communication

  • Promoting self-esteem and resilience

  • Fostering true community inclusion

At Foundations Therapy & Support we understand the barriers many children with additional needs face in their efforts to participate in traditional sport. That’s where we can help - bridging therapy with real-world sport. Our paediatric OTs are driven to break down these barriers by adapting activities, coaching skills in a neurodiversity-affirming way, and working with families and clubs to create inclusive opportunities. Whether it’s kicking a footy, running around the oval, or learning how to join in a team warm-up - every small skill learnt builds towards big life outcomes.

What We Offer

Foundations Therapy & Support’s Sports OT services are grounded in the belief that every child deserves access to inclusive, skill-building sporting experiences, no matter their needs or abilities. Our range of services are tailored to each child’s unique developmental goals, motor profile, sensory needs and interests.

01.

Sports Skill Foundations  - 1:1 sessions

Our Sports Skill Foundations are 1:1 sessions for children and teens who would like to learn, join or experience success within an identified sport of their choice. In our Sports Skill Foundations sessions, our OTs work directly with your child to:

  • Develop foundational skills required to catch, kick, jump, ride a bike etc..

  • Begin to learn the skills and required rules within a identified sport

  • Address postural control, balance, or coordination needs

  • Break down complex tasks into achievable steps

  • Build emotional regulation and self-confidence through movement

02.

Group Sports OT Programs - Sense AFL & Sense Rugby

Foundations Therapy & Support run popular group sports OT programs such as Sense AFL & Sense Rugby. We use the sensory and social benefits of team sports to work on our therapy goals. This is designed to offer young people a safe, structured and fun environment to experience success and achieve their goals. Our group programs are best suited to children looking to:  

  • Be a part of a small supportive team sport setting

  • Have a sensory 

  • Learn fundamental movement skills (balance, coordination, agility)

  • Practice following instructions, turn-taking, and team play skills

  • Build friendships and social confidence through shared activity

  • Build the confidence and foundations to join a mainstream sporting team

We like to link up with local sporting clubs to feel a part of the larger sporting community and provide a supported pathway to a mainstream team - if this was a goal for your child

03.

Sporting Club Inclusion Programs

Our goal is to ensure people of all abilities feel welcomed, valued and successful in their chosen sport. To allow us to achieve our goal, we proudly partner with local sporting clubs to support inclusion, education and adaptation. 

We offer:

  • OT-led inclusion support for clubs wanting to open their doors to neurodivergent or disabled participants

  • Support clubs create sensory-friendly spaces or rooms

  • Staff and volunteer education workshops

  • Tailored strategies to adapt rules, equipment, and expectations

  • On-field or sideline OT assistance for early-stage inclusion

This is inclusion done with purpose, not just intention.