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Alex Dwyer-Athletics
Alex, 18, is aiming to represent Australia at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. The Beaudesert local, who has cerebral palsy, lives by the motto “Don’t let anything hold you back.” His coach Helen White says he’s “a well-rounded athlete who makes no excuses for himself or his performances on the track, but tries to analyse what he could have...READ MORE -
Erin Baker- Kayaking
Erin, 15, is a competitive kayaker and fulltime high school student. Prior to taking up kayaking a year ago, she was an able-bodied competitive swimmer for six years, but was forced out of the sport after having spinal surgery for severe scoliosis. Erin currently uses a borrowed K1 kayak and will be putting her grant towards buying one...READ MORE -
Blake Anderson-Cross Country
Blake Anderson – Cross Country Blake, 11, is the national and state cross-country champion, after winning gold at the Nationals in Tasmania in 2013. He took up the sport last year after starting to train with his sister Khi, and it is now a family affair for the Mount Kilcoy locals with his parents joining in training sessions....READ MORE -
Jordan Carroll-Alpine Skiig
Jordan, 18, became hooked on alpine skiing after being invited to development camps with Disabled Wintersport Australia and Camp Quality. Jordan skis with a guide because he has a vision impairment due to an inoperable tumour growing on his optic nerve. He had tried skiing prior to losing his sight and was determined to get back on the...READ MORE -
Katja Dedekind-Goalball
Katja, 13, attended a goalball ‘come and try’ day in 2012, and she has been playing ever since. Katja’s goal is to be selected for the Australian Girls Youth team and go on to play for the Aussie Belles national team at the Paralympics. Her sporting achievements to date include winning the Best Defensive Junior Player trophy at...READ MORE -
Lakeisha Patterson-Swimming
Lakeisha, 15, has had a rapid rise in national and international swimming over the past 12 months, including winning bronze in the S8 100m freestyle at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and representing Australia at the 2014 Para Pan Pacific Championships in the US. The Caboolture local, who has cerebral palsy, first began swimming to ease muscle pain...READ MORE -
Larry Marshall-Goalball
Since a new goalball program started a year ago in his hometown of Cairns, Larry has progressed from social competition to competing in the open men’s division at the 2014 Goalball State Championships. Larry, 39, will use his grant to buy protective goalball gear and his team uniform. His goal is to continue competing with his Cairns team...READ MORE -
Mathew Eaton-Goalball
Mathew, 31, began playing goalball in the local competition in Cairns. He competed at the 2014 Goalball State Championships and has achieved selection in his first state team for the national goalball titles in October. The father of two and voluntary youth worker aspires to compete at an international level. Mathew’s greatest sporting achievement came prior to his...READ MORE -
Olga Itsenko-Mahler-Goalball
Olga, 28, learned about goalball in Ukraine and came to Australia just as a social goalball competition was starting up in Cairns. Olga competed at her first Goalball State Championships in 2014 and has achieved her goal of being selected in the state women’s team for the national titles in October. Her aim is to play goalball at...READ MORE -
Steve Rabbett-Goalball
Steve, 54, started the goalball team in Cairns with assistance from young goalball players and parents, and now participates as a team member. Steve, who lost his sight in a vehicle accident, set the goal of achieving a level of performance and experience required to play competitively as a team. Steve and his team mates competed at the...READ MORE
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Changing lives through sport for athletes with disabilities
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TESTIMONIALS
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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
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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
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“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