Testimonials

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. Thank you for the opportunity to express myself including my achievements and sporting dreams- After becoming permanently disabled from a severe spinal injury after a car accident, during my rehabilitation I had the determination not to allow myself to remain inactive and non-functional. Thankfully I made a decision to become a member of my local Rathdowney bowling club through a good friend of mine which changed my life forever. Since I started bowling I dramatically improved in my body movement, gait defect, general overallfitness and social involvement, which has led to lifelong friendships With special coaching I successfully adapted to not only being able to lawn bowl, but have adjusted to becoming left handed as my right side has spinal neurological defects’ lnitially lawn bowling was part of my rehabilitation programme, but through persistence I have reached a competition level achieving silver in the Multi disability pairs and singles, representing eueensland at National Level. I have also represented Queensland in the able bodied championships reaching the quarter finals in triples at the Australian Open Championships. To follow my dreams financial assistance is paramount to allow continued involvement and competiveness. Fund raising is meagre at best. My ongoing needs include flights, transport accommodation, catering, nominations, coaching, physiotherapy and clothing and equipment. Bowling shoes alone cost over 5200-00. Costs always increase with time and representative dreams are not sustainable without assistance for any disabled athlete…. 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 in the 2012 London Paralympic Games, where I finished 5th in the T35 100m with a personal best, and 7th in the T35 200m. I’m hoping to compete in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. What Sporting Dreams has achieved in helping atheltes is fantastic.

I would just like to thank Marayke for starting this fantastic organisation – you are an inspiration Marayke, and what Sporting Dreams has achieved in helping athletes is fantastic.

 … 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 our sporting dreams.

 … 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 like a dream and then reality came. I made the Australian Para Swim Team. My amazing mum who I relied on to get up at 3.30am every morning to drive me 90 minutes to training with nutrition prepared twice a day became ill. This also was going to impact my ability to attend regular training sessions.

When your support falls, so does all hope? Digging deep into your Faith makes nothing else matter. But when Charity comes in the form of a Blessing as has Sporting Dreams, Hope is restored to allow me to continue my dream. I have in the past three months returned from competing in Brazil bringing home a Whopping 3 Gold, 5 Silver and a Bronze Medal. I then became Australia’s Wild Card with a late entry into Commonwealth Games and took out a Bronze Medal!.  Without unpacking my bag I then headed off to Para Pan Pacific Games in Pasadena, bring home Gold, Silver & 4 Bronze. Then backed it all up with QLD Short Course Female Multi Class Athlete of the Championships gaining 2 Gold & 2 Bronze. What a whirl win the past three months have been, and now pleased to say that I am currently ranked 3rd in the World.

All dreams are achievable, and hope can be restored with a blessing from Sporting Dreams. To learn that there was a support network of wonderful giving people also Business that are keen to invest in an athlete is really quite wonderful.

Thank you Sporting Dreams, for making a difference in my family’s life. The funding will enable me to continue my hectic Training schedule, assist with travel and uniform costs.

To create an Athlete not only requires motivation, persistence, and determination. The key ingredient is Commitment and support. Whether it be able body, or Disability, young or aged. Life is going to be moderately challenging, but success is possible. Support network provides individuals with incentive and encouragement. The glue to any successful performance is the Culture that is created. That’s why Sporting Dreams is such a great investment in our future.

As I dive through the steam rising above the lane ropes in the pool every day, I remind myself of a fortunate gift I have in swimming. To gain a pain free day, clearing my mind ready to take on the World at School each day and be Thankful of my Sponsor and greatest supporter in life. My Mum, My sisters and My Community that love being part of my journey.

Thank you Sporting Dreams for investing in me.

… 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

You have played a major part in getting Fi to the World Cup as the grant you gave her has paid for a carer for three hours every Friday to enable her to get to training plus a massage each week. … not many organisations want to fund a disability sportsperson until medals are either on the table or won. She’s well prepared … thank you.

– Julie Lyons ( Mother of Fiona Lyons, Boccia)… Julie Lyons