Paralympics 2032: Redland’s all-abilities team leads the way

Redland dad Mark Daly, inspired by his son Tom, is coaching an all-abilities touch football team, hoping to spark a statewide movement leading up to the 2032 Paralympics.

Untouchables coach Mark Daly and his son Tom are integral to the Untouchables team in Redland. Picture: Carers Queensland

A bayside father has helped kick start a statewide movement for a touch football program for people with disability in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic Games.

Redland dad Mark Daly, whose son Tom, 18, has cerebral palsy, is coaching an all-abilities touch football team in Redland, called the Untouchables, which has 45 members who meet weekly.

He hoped the Redland concept would become a blueprint for other teams and that the popular game plan would catch on across the state in the lead up to the Paralympics in 2032.

Daly, a dedicated player and member of Redlands Touch Football Association for 16 years, coached the group which ranged in age from eight to 53, with some having previously represented Australia at the Special Olympics.

Redlands Untouchables Libby Jack, Harvey and KJ. Picture: Carers Queensland

Son Tom has participated in various age divisions from under-10s to under-16s across multiple competitions, experiencing an inclusive environment where he was treated like any other player.

“My son Tom has cerebral palsy and I guess the whole impetus for me wanting to get this program up and running was so he could enjoy the game as much as I do,” Mr Daly said.

“Tom’s cerebral palsy affects him physically, but mentally he’s sharp.

“He’s also just got his P-plate licence so is driving himself to practice every week. 

“All teams are inclusive here and they treat Tom like any other player.

“No one has ever said ‘no you can’t play with us’ and when he’s got the ball he’s been given a decent run.”

Under coach Daly, the Untouchables learned the fundamentals of touch football and play against other all-abilities teams.

The all-abilities team and Redlands Touch Football Association has been getting support from Carers Queensland, a non-profit organisation that helped unpaid family carers across the state.

Carers Queensland team leader David Bartholomaeus said the NDIS partner was also working to identify other sports and organisations as it expanded its plans to increase the participation of people with disabilities, on and off the playing field, ahead of the Paralympics.

“Redlands Touch and the touch associations it has worked with, including in Toowoomba and Brisbane, is leading the way in terms of true inclusion at the grassroots level,” he said.

“The all-abilities programs allow people with a disability to feel the joy and mateship of being part of a team.”

Redlands Touch operations manager Jason Hemson. Picture: Carers Queensland

Redlands Touch operations manager Jason Hemson said setting up an all-abilities program was not a huge undertaking, with very minimal extra cost or paperwork.

“A local rugby league club has spoken about coming down to check out how we operate and we’d be more than happy to help others on their inclusion journey,” he said. 

Already the AFL has set up its new flagship national event for footballers with an intellectual disability and wheelchair players, called the Toyota AFL Open.

The inaugural AFL Open was due to take place at the South Pine Sports Complex from November 21-26, with more than 200 players representing their state in the Wheelchair event and in the 2024 Toyota AFL Open – Inclusion.

Originally published as Paralympics 2032: Redland’s all-abilities team leads the way