Equal Play

Lily Ahree Siegel’s documentary Equal Play follows the lives of two British children, Marley and Tammy, who are determined to break barriers and fight discrimination against the disabled community in school sports.

Marley, a 14-year-old student with autism, finds a hidden confidence through boxing after years of being secluded from his classmates. He began his journey in an inclusive boxing club and practiced with his mother during lockdowns. Tammy, on the other hand, faces constant exclusion due to her physical disability. She was sidelined from physical education classes and relegated to physical therapy instead. Frustrated, Tammy started exploring various sports at her school, ultimately discovering a passion for swimming, which brought her peace and control.

“…the children advocate for equal access to sports and physical education, challenging discriminatory practices.”

Equal Play raises issues that the disabled face, including the fact that 75 percent of disabled students are not involved in their school’s physical education classes because the administration and fellow students believe “they don’t matter.” Later in the film, Tammy meets Paralympian Hannah Cockroft, who inspires her to try wheelchair racing. Determined to try anything once, Tammy attempts wheelchair racing, discovering her strength and potential on the track, surprising everyone, including Cockroft. Meanwhile, Marley’s boxing journey teaches him social skills and resilience, transforming him into a symbol of perseverance. Together, the children advocate for equal access to sports and physical education, challenging the discriminatory practices of their schools.

Equal Play called out my natural tendency to pity and underestimate disabled children like Marley and Tammy. The film highlights the transformative power of sports and the universal right to participate. It calls attention to the systemic barriers disabled children face while showcasing the joy, unity, and determination that sports can bring to young lives.

As Equal Play states, physical education is a human right. I don’t think a class at school is a human right. Instead, it is a human right to recognize every person’s potential to be a valued member of this world, and people with disabilities deserve to be treated as equals.