Dancing with her stars

All Abilities Cheer and Dance
Inclusive. Selfless. Genuine

Alana Giaccio uses dance and cheerleading to give people with disabilities an opportunity to enjoy exercise.

She started her All Abilities Cheer and Dance studio so people in Adelaide have an opportunity to enjoy inclusive and accessible sports. Her 92 students are aged three to fifty-five.

“I'm proud to offer a unique sport to people who might not have had the chance before,” says Alana.

“It’s amazing to see parents and carers watch their loved ones participating, making friends, developing new skills and, most importantly, having fun.”

The confidence-boosting classes help her students build their communication skills, balance and spatial awareness and learn how to work in a team in a safe and supportive environment. They can progress to competition classes and participate in the disability section of mainstream dance and cheerleading competitions.

Alana’s studio is inspired by her two younger brothers, who have Autism Spectrum Disorder and Intellectual Disability.

She was a generous sister and supported them when they grew up, but she knew they were missing out on opportunities for fun and exercise.

Alana is delighted to be nominated as a Westfield Local Hero. “It means my dream is recognised as valuable in the community. It means my lifetime of disability experience is benefiting the community. It has confirmed my career purpose and has motivated me to expand.”

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. All Abilities Cheer and Dance will use the grant for future hall hire.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here