Peter Downs

• E-mail: pete@theinclusionclub.com
• Website: http://theinclusionclub.com
• Phone: 61 (0) 2 6259 0136
• Address: 3 Sampson Close, Melba, ACT 2615

My career has focused on the inclusion of people with disability in sport and active recreation. I am strategic yet outcome focused. I believe that well thought out and planned actions, that have a human rights based approach, can impact positively in the lives of people who are most disadvantaged. In my career I have always believed in the power of networks and on empowering others to make a difference.

New Scotland Yard Appeals Department for the Metropolitan Police preparing Crown Court briefs for Metropolitan Police solicitors.

Responsible for the assessment and administration of funds raised through national BBC Children in Need Appeal and Comic Relief telethons that raised over $90m annually for not-for-profits and charities throughout the UK and Africa.

Sports instructor for young people participating in summer vacation camps in the UK and learning English as a second language, specialising in cricket, squash and tennis.

Managing a portfolio of National Sports Organisations (NSOs). Responsible for delivery of Government funding requirements and priorities, NSO strategic and operational plan development and strategic outcomes for targeted NSOs.

• Established extensive set of education and training resources concerned with the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport and physical activity.
• Developed the Disability Education Program – a national professional development program for teachers, coaches and community leaders providing training for over 50,000 people, delivered by a network of state/territory coordinators based in department of sport and recreation.
• Developed and managed Sports CONNECT – a program to assist national sports organisations plan for the inclusion of people with a disability in sport. Includes the development of a national inclusive sport framework based on supply-demand principles and implemented by all partners, including 25 national sports organisations and all state departments of sport and recreation.
• Development of Sports Ability – a national inclusive sports program for young people with high support needs attached to the 2006 Commonwealth Games, targeting 150 Special Schools and 20 Indigenous Communities across Australia. Currently there are around 700 Sports Ability sites around Australia.
• Designed and implemented national research project investigating the constraints and opportunities people with disability in sport and active recreation.

Responsible for management and delivery of the ASCs key priority initiatives concerned with safeguarding the integrity of sport. Specifically, providing support for the implementation of Play by the Rules, Member Protection Policy template support for NSOs, the management and development of Member Protection Information Officer face-to-face and online training, the development and delivery of training, education and networking resources including webinars, forums and key meetings. Also involved in section planning, including the design of evaluation and monitoring systems that meet key section and branch priorities.

Master Thesis – Student Attitudes Toward the Integration of Young People with Disabilities in Activity Settings: A European Comparison

• Finalist in the  2012 ACT Chief Ministers Margaret Spalding Individual Inclusion Awards
• Nominated and included in the NSW Who’s Who publication 2009.
• Nominated and included in the top 10 sport category of the Bulletin Magazine’s SMART 100 national awards 2007
• Vice President of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity 2001-2005
• Recognised for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Sports Commission in 1998.
• Australian Sports Medal 2000 – for contributions to Australian sport.
• Workplace Assessor Training 1999
• Harassment-Free Sport Contact Officer 2000
• Protective Behaviours Certificate 2000
• Planning and Managing Program Evaluations1997