NDIS Support Coordination Team Leader Shows How Inclusive Cheer Inspires Confidence and Connection
“It’s not about ability, it’s about attitude, teamwork, and seeing people for who they truly are.” — Chelsey Stephenson
The crowd erupts in applause as the music starts. A group of athletes rush onto the stage, full of energy, movement, and big smiles. The lights flash, the beat kicks in, and the air buzzes with excitement. This is cheerleading at its best with teamwork, confidence, and pure joy.
When you think of cheerleading, what comes to mind?
Maybe bright uniforms, pom-poms, jumps, and stunts.
Cheerleading is fast, fun, and full of spirit. It takes strength, balance, and focus. Along with team spirit, courage, and a positive attitude.
Now, think about the people you imagine in a cheer squad.
What if one of them used a wheelchair? Or was blind? Or lived with autism?
Because today, cheerleading is becoming one of the most inclusive sports in the world.
All Abilities Cheer Teams in are showing that everyone, no matter their ability, can take the stage, perform with pride, and feel the thrill of being part of something bigger.
And this is something Infinity Community Solutions’ NDIS Support Coordination Team Leader, Chelsey Stephenson, has experienced firsthand.
As an able-bodied adult cheerleader, Chelsey combines her passion for supporting people with disability with her love of the sport. She is part of the All Abilities Cheer Team “Shine” at the Elite Cheer gym in Meadowbrook, Queensland, where athletes of all backgrounds and abilities train, perform, and celebrate together. For Chelsey, it’s more than a sport. It is a community where everyone belongs, and every achievement is celebrated.
“It’s not about ability, it’s about attitude, teamwork, and seeing people for who they truly are. All Abilities Cheer is about providing a safe, nurturing space where everyone can feel supported as their authentic self,” says Chelsey.
Chelsey speaks positively about the support she receives from the gym owners in her volunteer role. “The gym has really helped the All Abilities team grow, and it is paying off for our NDIS community,” she says.
“By being inclusive of all abilities, the gym is reinforcing that everyone has their own strengths to be nurtured,” Chelsey continues. “It is humbling to see individuals progress within the team and to know that I have played a small part in boosting their confidence.”
For Chelsey, participating in the All-Abilities team isn’t just a personal pursuit. It reflects the values she brings to her NDIS work every day. Working in NDIS has taught her to see beyond disability, to recognise strengths, and to nurture confidence in each person she supports. Cheerleading gives her a different lens, reminding her that inclusion, patience, and encouragement are just as important outside the office as they are within it.
Chelsey’s story is a reminder that inclusion doesn’t stop at the end of the workday. Through All Abilities Cheer, she brings the same care, encouragement, and focus she applies in her NDIS work into every community she touches. Chelsey is helping others find their confidence, their rhythm, and their place to belong.
Infinity Community Solutions Ltd is motivated to make a difference in the lives of individuals through early intervention, out of home care, and participating in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).