All Abilities Day 2025 was a hit! - Amaze
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All Abilities Day 2025 was a hit!

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We had an amazing day at All Abilities Day 2025 at the Australian Open thanks to Tennis Australia.

Thanks to everyone who came along. We know it’s a big deal to get up early and go into the city and we hope you had a fantastic day!

 

What is All Abilities Day?

All Abilities Day is an event created by Tennis Australia. Tennis Australia Inclusion and Diversity Coordinator, Chris Okely and Head of Inclusion and Disability, Kerry Tavrou invited Amaze to work together with four other disability organisations to ensure all attendees felt welcome, safe and had a lot of fun.

Chris Okely was proud to see so many people enjoying themselves on the day.

“Hopefully this event will give people the confidence to attend the Australian Open,” said Chris.

“I’m part of the disability community myself and understand that not everyone’s journey in sport is easy so I like to open doors through activations like this today.”

 

In your own words

When we asked community members their thoughts on what the value of coming to an All Abilities event was, here’s what they told us:

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“We’ve never been to the tennis, so I’m so excited to share the sport with my favourite toy.” – Leanna, young person pictured with mum Sara.

 

“Being able to come today, early, we wouldn’t be able to do this otherwise. We came last year and did it. And coming actually inspired me to ask our school when they had a carnival to let kids come early.” – Kim, parent.

 

What was on offer

Amaze were provided with free access passes to the morning sensory session from 8am to 9.45am, which provided families with children aged from 5 to 12 years to have exclusive access and enter the ballpark before the general public.

 

The sensory session was great for:

  • Reducing crowds
  • reducing noise levels
  • having trained staff there who understand how to support Autistic people
  • and bringing the Autistic community together.

 

It was great to see everyone try out:

  • The playground with tennis themes activities
  • the delicious food from the food trucks (big ticks for social enterprises led by people with disability)
  • and the waterslide! To quote one community member who tried out the waterslide ‘It was so fast, I went like a bullet!’

 

After the sensory sessions, attendees had free access to the Australian Open precinct for the day (excluding Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas). We were pleased to see so many of you enjoy the day and the free activities including:

  • The celebrity tennis match with Dylan Alcott and friends
  • performances by Emma Memma
  • and the sensory rooms, plus more.

 

Amaze’s CEO enjoyed the day too

Amaze’s CEO David Tonge was there on the day and acknowledged the work of all who collaborated to make All Abilities Day 2025 at the Australian Open a reality.

“Today has been many, many weeks and months of hard work as we worked with Tennis Australia to give access to over 700 members of our community,” said David.

“I’d like to thank Tennis Australia and the Australian Open, particularly Kerry and Chris, who have given us this opportunity for all our community to come and experience the Australian Open in 2025.”

See more event highlights on Amaze’s Instagram and Facebook

 

 

 

 

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