Panel: Elite Athletes with Disability – Tamsin Colley, Jamieson Leeson & Dr Alex Smith

Sport can be a powerful avenue for individuals with disability to find community, a sense of belonging, achievement, and inclusion. Yet outside the Paralympics, the broader public often hears little of their journeys and the transformative role sport can play in their lives.

As part of UNSW’s Diversity Festival 2025, this panel will ignite conversations about disability and inclusivity in sport, exploring how people with diverse disabilities can participate at the community level and progress to proudly represent Australia on the world stage.

The session will feature video presentations, panel discussions, and a Q and A with:

Tamsin Colley – UNSW student, member of the UNSW Elite Athlete Program, Rio 2016 Paralympian and disability in sport advocate.
Jamieson Leeson – UNSW student, UNSW Elite Athlete, Paralympian (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024), and Australia’s first ever Boccia silver medallist.
Dr Alex Smith – UNSW Schools Operations, Faculty of Arts Design and Architecture, and Physical Disability Rugby League player.

Together, they will share how their sports have embraced inclusion through classification systems, rule and equipment adaptations, and how these innovations created pathways to elite representation. Attendees will be encouraged to consider how these principles can be applied across all contexts to foster inclusion, opportunity and connection.

Visitor Safety Information

The health and safety of our patrons is our top priority, and this event will abide by the Public Health Order prevailing at the time. Please follow our conditions of entry, and check back here for updated information prior to the event.

Do not attend the event if you feel unwell, have recently experienced any cold or flu-like symptoms or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

Live Event & Venue

The John Niland Scientia Building is located at UNSW Sydney's Kensington Campus (G19 on map).

Access

Wheelchair Accessible

The John Niland Scientia Building is located at UNSW Sydney's Kensington Campus (G19 on map). The closest accessible drop off point to the Scientia Building is the east entrance (F22 on map). Vehicles need to arrive via Gate 11 on Botany Street. The closest accessible parking is available in the Botany Street Parking Station (H23 on map).

Assisted Listening

Assisted listening like hearing loop can be provided upon request.

Parking & Public Transport

UNSW is easily accessible via public transport. Call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.

Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’. For more information head here.

About UNSW Diversity Festival

UNSW Diversity Festival is an annual celebration, this year taking place 22-26 September 2025. Diversity Festival brings students and staff together to embrace the diversity of our community and ignite conversations about how we can foster a more inclusive society.

Proudly hosted by EDI in the Division of Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, the 2025 program features events and activities on themes and topics that include cultural diversity, neurodiversity, accessibility, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, sustainability and societal impact.

Find out what’s on at Diversity Festival 2025 and register for events.

For event enquiries or to discuss your access requirements, please contact Elite Athlete Program Manager - Helen Bryson - h.bryson@unsw.edu.au