Baseball Queensland hits home run with Autism-friendly Baseball5
This Neurodiversity Celebration Week we’re giving a shoutout to Baseball Queensland for the successful rollout of their inclusive Baseball 5 program, in collaboration with Autism Queensland and Sport4All.
Baseball Queensland is on a winning streak with its inclusive Baseball5 program and Junior Coaching Handbook, designed to support neurodivergent Queenslanders to participate in sport.
The number of autistic Queenslanders who participate in BQ’s Baseball program has grown from 63 in the 2024/25 season to 86 this season.
Key to the successful rollout of Baseball5 was a new coaching handbook developed in collaboration with Autism Queensland and Sport4All, using funding from the Queensland Government’s Active Industry Project Fund Super Round.
The Junior Coaching Handbook has dedicated resources, practical strategies and tips for working with autistic and neurodivergent children, helping coaches to create safe, engaging and inclusive environments for every Queenslander.
“The handbook was intentionally designed for junior coaches, particularly beginner or brand-new coaches who may be volunteering in community sport for the first time,” says Sam Cawdron, Baseball Queensland Game Development Manager.
The Junior Coaching Handbook is being rolled out to 30 affiliated clubs across the state, benefiting more than 3,000 Baseball players, coaches and volunteers in Queensland.
Baseball5 is an urban version of baseball and softball, created overseas in 2017 to make playing the sport easier and more accessible.
BQ has successfully introduced the sport to Queensland with players in Cairns, Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Toowoomba.
Local school competitions have also been held on the Gold Coast and in Townsville.
The success of BQ’s Junior Coaching Handbook has led to other state baseball organisations looking to adopt the resource, with plans to expand nationally.
“Our broader goal through this work is to support neurodivergent players to participate, develop skills and feel a sense of belonging within safe and engaging baseball and Baseball5 environments,” says Sam Cawdron.
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It runs from March 16 to March 20, 2026.
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