Optus Stadium, Activ Foundation team up

Optus Stadium and disability service provider Activ Foundation have embarked on a three-year partnership to increase accessibility to sport and entertainment events at the arena.

Activ is now the third charity to partner with Optus Stadium, joining Telethon and Happiness Co, with the stadium’s chief executive Mike McKenna saying collaborations like these extended the ability to have positive community impact.

“We have been supporting Telethon for a number of years and provide support to the broader community through our annual community charity lighting program, donations of unused food to OzHarvest and the provision of goods and services to many other charities and sporting bodies each year,” Mr McKenna said.

He said while Optus Stadium had pre-existing accessible features - including ACROD parking bays, accessible seats within all stadium levels, enhanced amenity seats and three larger than standard accessible toilets called Changing Place facilities - its partnership with Activ Foundation would further improve accessibility.

“We’ve also added an accessible rooftop tour and adventure experience in recent years,” Mr McKenna said.

“This partnership will aim to further develop the stadium’s accessibility and inclusivity and combine Optus Stadium's platform with Activ’s dedication to improving the lives of people living with disability, their families, and carers.”

Activ Foundation chief executive Michael Heath said the charity was looking forward to seeing the partnership come to life.

“As one of WA’s largest disability services providers, this is such a great opportunity to collaborate with an iconic Western Australian venue in its endeavours to create an inclusive environment for staff and visitors,” he said.

“Our mission to create greater accessibility and inclusion for people living with disability is really championed when organisations such as Optus Stadium build charity partnerships such as this.

“This also presents us with exciting opportunities to share our mission with Optus Stadium’s network, including creating new avenues of fundraising, all of which directly contribute to helping improve the lives of our customers.”

Optus Stadium is operated by entertainment and hospitality management company VenuesLive and has a seated capacity of 60,000 people.

Activ Foundation is the largest provider of supported disability accommodation in WA and ranks as the state’s third largest charity, according to Data and Insights. 

After reporting significant financial deficit in 2022, the charity moved closer to profitability in 2023 under Mr Heath’s leadership.

The charity’s annual report for 2023 revealed a $1.8 million loss, after recording a $10.8 million loss the year before.