Meet Tamsin Colley—Elite Para-athlete and Advocate for Neurodiversity

As part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, it's important to highlight individuals who embrace and advocate for neurodivergent communities. Tamsin Colley is a 22-year-old elite para-athlete with cerebral palsy and autism who has represented Australia multiple times in Para-Athletics and Cerebral Palsy Football.

She is currently studying Exercise Physiology at university, aspiring to become an Accredited Exercise Physiologist to help others with disabilities experience the benefits of exercise. Exercise has greatly benefited Tamsin, improving her strength, coordination, and overall well-being. 

Tasmin kneeling down next to a young girl, smiling to camera

Tamsin pictured with a little participant from the CP Sporting and Recreation Association who told Tamsin she was her role model. 

Tamsin is committed to advocacy, particularly through her active involvement with CPActive’s Young Changemakers working group. She values the opportunity to contribute her lived experiences to help empower young people with disabilities, stating,  

“It is great to see lived experience shaping programs and helping us improve our advocacy skills. Connecting with others who understand my experiences as both a person with cerebral palsy and autism is incredibly valuable.” 

Speaking about her own experiences of neurodivergence, Tamsin shares, “Being autistic, especially diagnosed later due to my cerebral palsy masking it, can be challenging. At first, the world often feels like it doesn’t understand you—and you don’t always understand the world. But over time, I’ve learned to embrace my uniqueness and worry less about what others think. Surrounding myself with people who appreciate my differences has made me feel more valued and authentically myself.” 

Over the past year, Tamsin has significantly contributed to inclusive sport initiatives, notably organising the Football for Females with Disabilities program at Hurlstone Park Wanderers. This initiative addresses gaps in opportunities for females with disabilities, and Tamsin has seen firsthand the positive impact this has on participants’ confidence and social inclusion. 

Her advocacy also extends to her work with the Cerebral Palsy Sporting and Recreation Association (CPSARA), managing social media, administrative tasks, and organising multi-sport connect days. These events foster community engagement, enabling individuals with disabilities to actively participate in sports. 

Reflecting further on neurodiversity, Tamsin emphasises, “Being neurodiverse isn’t something wrong; it’s a normal variation in humanity. Labels help us understand ourselves and each other, and it’s not shameful to ask for accommodations.”  

She highlights the importance of authentic representation: “Having neurodiverse role models allows younger people to feel seen and validated. It’s vital for society to understand and embrace our unique ways of thinking.” 

Tamsin’s advocacy and athletic achievements highlight the importance of genuine representation and meaningful inclusion. Through her work, she ensures neurodiverse individuals feel supported, valued, and empowered. 

Over the past year, Tamsin has significantly contributed to inclusive sport initiatives, notably organising the Football for Females with Disabilities program at Hurlstone Park Wanderers. This initiative addresses gaps in opportunities for females with disabilities, and Tamsin has seen firsthand the positive impact this has on participants’ confidence and social inclusion. 

Her advocacy also extends to her work with the Cerebral Palsy Sporting and Recreation Association (CPSARA), managing social media, administrative tasks, and organising multi-sport connect days. These events foster community engagement, enabling individuals with disabilities to actively participate in sports. 

On neurodiversity, Tamsin shares insightful reflections, emphasising,  

“Being neurodiverse isn’t something wrong; it’s a normal variation in humanity. Labels help us understand ourselves and each other, and it’s not shameful to ask for accommodations.”  

She further explains the significance of authentic representation:  

“Having neurodiverse role models allows younger people to feel seen and validated. It’s vital for society to understand and embrace our unique ways of thinking.” 

Tamsin’s advocacy and athletic achievements highlight the importance of genuine representation and meaningful inclusion. Through her work, she ensures neurodiverse individuals feel supported, valued, and empowered.