Kyle already had a job at Woolworths when he came to Key Community Group. What he needed wasn’t help getting started – it was support to keep going, and to keep growing.

Kyle has an intellectual disability. He’s an accomplished middle-distance runner, world-ranked para athlete with Athletics Australia, and has also competed in numerous marathons, earning medals along the way. More recently, he trialled for the Special Olympics. He’s also a passionate surfer who enjoys giving back to his community by volunteering with the Breakfast Club at Sandy Beach Public School and Disabled Surfers. Whether he’s training for his next event, catching a wave or helping others in the community, Kyle brings the same determination and positive attitude to everything he does.

On top of all this, Kyle was recently awarded the Golden Seahorse Community Award, which celebrates the people who make Woolgoolga and the Northern Beaches shine – a fitting recognition of the contribution Kyle makes to his community, and another incredible achievement to add to his growing list.

Between his role at Woolworths, pursuing his running goals and volunteering in the community, Kyle has plenty to balance. Kyle and his consultant Cheryl catch up every fortnight to make sure everything is tracking well at work. Together, they review Kyle’s roster, talk through any workplace concerns, and plan around his demanding training and competition schedule. Cheryl also supports Kyle with time management, self-care, communicating with his employer, and practical strategies that help him balance work with his sporting commitments.

This is what ongoing post-placement support is all about – working together to identify potential challenges before they become problems. Whether it’s building Kyle’s confidence, planning around competitions, or helping him navigate conversations with his employer, the focus is on giving him the tools to stay engaged, perform well at work, and maintain a healthy work/life balance.

Regular contact also means Cheryl can keep an eye on Kyle’s overall wellbeing and motivation, while supporting open communication with Woolworths about his availability and training commitments. By staying proactive, Kyle can continue balancing his career and his passion for running, while maintaining the positive working relationships that have helped him succeed.

Kyle puts a lot of his confidence down to the support he’s received from Key. Having a welcoming, friendly and encouraging team who recognise the progress he’s made has helped him back himself both at work and in everyday life.

Looking ahead, Kyle’s goals are simple: keep working hard, never give up, and continue building on what he’s achieved. He’d love the opportunity to take on a different role, keep up with his running, and one day travel overseas. With the same determination that’s already taken him so far, there’s no doubt he’ll keep achieving great things.