Category Archives: Blog

6 Sep 2016

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2016 grants open

Sporting Dreams grant applications are now open from Sept 5- October 7. Queensland athletes both established or wanting to start out are welcome to apply, and there’s no age limit. To find out more click below APPLICATION HINTS &FACT...

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8 Feb 2016

Becoming an Incorporated Association

We are officially now known as Sporting Dreams Queensland Inc- an Incorporated Association in our own right. What does that mean for athletes? Nothing will change grants will go out annually, there will be an awards ceremony and...

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4 Oct 2015

Dive into Life:North QLD

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world, but is it accessible for wheelchair users? Travel writer Marayke Jonkers discovers that North Queensland is not only beautiful, but unexpectedly accessible. ...

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14 Jul 2015

Bonus info: Let it snow

In this blog you will find tips for aspiring snow bunnies on: Using a wheelchair in the snow Temperature regulation Where to stay at NSW Snow fields How to get there: NSW Snow fields Adaptive skiing equipment: How will...

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8 Jul 2015

Let it snow

Few things in life are more exhilarating than skiing down a mountain writes Marayke Jonkers in Link Magazine, click the image above to read the article online....

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11 Apr 2015

Brisbane:River City Shines

Travel writer and Paralympian Marayke Jonkers visits Brisbane, investigating accessibility features and finding the top free activities for visitors to the River city. Article published April edition of link magazine. Additional information including, is provided on this blog as...

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11 Feb 2015

Notice of Public Meeting

Sporting Dreams is holding a Public Meeting to discuss forming an Incorporated Association. Interested parties are welcome to attend. Details: Time: Date: 6.30- 7.30 pm 17 Feb 2015 Venue: Maroochydore RSL Board Room Please contact info@sportingdreams.org.au to request a copy...

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11 Dec 2014

Penguin Parade: Phillip Island Victoria

Remember to check under your car for penguins when you leave the car park, the ranger instructs us as we commence our tour. Where else could we be but the Penguin Parade on Phillip Island, a 90 minute drive...

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28 Nov 2014

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Hall of fame Induction

Tonight I had the great honour of being inducted into the Sunshine Coast Sports Hall of Fame, alongside longboard surfer Josh Constable. Our Plaques are now in the hall of fame alongside some of my childhood heroes such as...

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9 Oct 2014

The world at my wheels- travel writing

Sporting Dreams founder Marayke Jonkers is a professional travel writer and qualified journalist covering accessible travel. Her latest published story ” The world at my wheels” can be found in the current edition of the Link magazine. Read about her...

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Testimonial

To be recognised and considered for the Sporting Dreams Grant, having already received an introductory grant in 2012, and now a Developmental Athletes Grant in 2014 is an honour and a privilege. I am thankful for organisations such as the Sporting Dreams. lf it was not for such associations that exist and care for disabled athletes they would never achieve their goals and dreams. There are many disabled athletes just as deserving as me and I thank you kindly especially Marayake Jonkers, you will always be an inspiration and a legend in my eyes. ... Debra McGary- Lawn Bowls
Sporting Dreams helps inspire athletes by supporting and acknowledging disabled athletes aspirations. Attending the Ceremony showed me how many marvelous people there are striving to achieve their own personal goal. Sporting Dreams is important because it encourages you and helps you to chase your dream. I have competed in the State and National RDA (Riding for the Disabled ) championships this year. My Sporting Dreams grant enabled me to pay the entry fees for my horse riding competitions. Sporting dreams is important because it encourages you and helps you to chase your dream. Sporting Dreams helps inspire athletes by supporting and acknowledging disabled athletes aspirations. ... Tarsha Tupper- Para Equestrian
“Sporting Dreams has been a great help to my family and I because they have provided money which has been very useful towards my sporting career travelling for big events, such as Nationals. I believe Sporting Dreams is important because it provides opportunities for young athletes to do what they desire. After my Sporting Dreams grant, I have achieved School Sport Australia National age champion 2 years in a row. I would like to thank Sporting Dreams for giving me the grant so I have been able to go on to achieve such amazing goals and opportunities.” Noah Robinson & Mum Sharon... Noah Robinson- Swimming
Receiving my Sporting Dreams grant and coming to that first awards ceremony was incredibly exciting. The grant itself was wonderful, as we knew it would really help me to achieve my goals, but going to the ceremony and meeting Marayke, who is such an inspiring role model, and other fantastic athletes who were doing so well in their respective sports, was a great learning experience. The grant allowed me to buy a new pair of racing shoes, as I was transitioning into sprints at the time, and also helped with my competition costs. I think Sporting Dreams is so important because the financial costs of sport can be very high, and that can sometimes mean that hardworking, talented sportspeople can’t compete as much as they would like. The Sporting Dreams grants help make it possible for more athletes to achieve their sporting goals, and also brings together athletes so that they can learn from each other, and realize they’re not alone in their journey. I received my first grant in 2008. Since then, I competed in the IPC Athletics World Championships in 2011, where I won silver in the T35 100m, and gold in the T35 200m. I also competed...... Rachael Dodds-athletics
I am fortunate to have been the recipient of two of these awards and they have been of great assistance to me as I pursue my sporting dream of representing Australia in Athletics at the Paralympics. Both the awards have assisted me with the day to day practicalities of training and competing in my chosen events of Shot Put and Discus. I live in a regional area of Queensland, so each week, twice a week I make a three hour round trip to travel to Brisbane for training. The grant monies help cover the cost of my travel and training fees. This has been a great help to me as last year I was able to travel to the USA to compete in the World Dwarf Games where I won three gold medals and set a World Dwarf Games record and this year I was able to make my goal of winning the Australian Open Women’s Discus and place third in Shot Put, setting a new Australian record for my classification. Sporting Dreams Foundation is important not only because of the financial assistance it offers but also for the recognition, encouragement and inspiration it gives as we strive to reach...... Claire Keefer- athletics
Ready. Set. Go! If only life was so simple… As an athlete with a disability we are always getting ready. Set. Well that’s the easy part. Go…. That’s the tricky part. Preparation is always the key ingredient with plenty of support, and self-belief that there are no limitations. My name is Lakeisha Patterson, otherwise known as Lucky in the swimming world, I am 15 years old with Cerebral Palsy, Early onset Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy and Micrographia, to name a few, ha. Life is challenging at times, even without a disability. But if you surround yourself in the right environment, and keep your eyes open, you shall surely discover many opportunities as I have. I started swimming to gain a pain free day. With incredible encouragement from a learn to swim coach who never gave up on me, I gained more strength every day. That everyday became a lifestyle in and out of the water that created many opportunities for greatness. When all is going great, the medal collection expands. My Sponsor, my mum, and my two sisters have made many sacrifices so as I can achieve my dream of becoming an Australian Paralympic Swimmer. Six months ago, this all seemed...... Lakeisha Patterson- Swimming
When Josh received his award in 2010 he was swimming. He represented Queensland and his relay team medaled at Nationals. Your grant helped with training and transport for this, thank-you. Since then, Josh has tried a variety of sports and cultural activities. For a boy with one hand he has not taken the easy options! Rugby replaced football, waterpolo replaced swimming, snare and bass drum replaced trumpet. Sailing and photography round out Josh’s co-curricular activities. – Louise Crean, Josh’s Mum ... Josh Crean- Swimming
Since I recieved funding from sporting dreams the grant made it easier for me to attend national championship in 2012. Sporting dreams is important to help athletes out with funding for them to either buy equipment they need or attend major events in there event.... Sara Wessling- athletics
Thanks for the Sporting Dreams grant!! It will go toward me paying for my carer as I don’t have many hours. So it means a lot!! Fiona Lyons, Boccia... Fiona Lyons
Thanks Marayke!! The Sporting Dreams grants meant so much to me, as did getting to know you- you’re such an amazing athlete and person. Rachael Dodds, athletics... Rachael Dodds