This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards (VDSR Awards) – a celebration of the achievements of sportspeople with disability, the coaches, organisations, officials and volunteers who support them and the inclusive sport and recreation sector across Victoria.

Last night, Wednesday 22 May, in front of 180 people at PwC Southbank, the Victorian disability sporting community celebrated the achievements of our home grown sporting heroes and legends and all those who work hard behind the scenes to help them get there.

The VDSR Awards are an opportunity to discover unsung heroes and rising stars and celebrate what’s truly great about accessible and inclusive sport.

“Last night was an opportunity to celebrate not only these incredible athletes of all ages, but the extraordinary work that so many people in our sector are doing to help people with disability live active, healthy lives,’ said Disability Sport & Recreation CEO, Richard Amon.

“Giving people with disability better choice and access to physical activity is the focus of our new strategy and we’re looking forward to working with the sector over the coming months to make sure our work, now and into the future, reflects the needs of all Victorians with disability.”

Entrants in the Awards are nominated by state sporting associations, regional sport assemblies, local government, teammates, club members, coaches or their local community in recognition of their outstanding contribution to inclusive sport and recreation.

The outstanding nominations received always makes selecting the finalists a difficult decision, with the tenth anniversary Awards being no different.  Disability Sport & Recreation invited 12 highly qualified judges from the sector and charged them with picking the finalists and winners across the 11 award categories.

“With so many high calibre nominatons this year, it doesn’t matter whether you received an award or not – you’re all winners in our eyes.” said Amon.

Winners of the 2019 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards are:

Lifetime Achievement

• Mel & Terry McMahon – Special Olympics tenpin bowling
• Tamika Simpson – gymnastics

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Female Sportsperson of the Year

• Hannah Macdougall – cycling

My Sport Live Male Sportsperson of the Year

• Ben Roche – football (soccer)

Marg Angel Junior Sportsperson of the Year

• Mitchell Bond – wheelchair basketball

WorkSafe Victoria Masters Sportsperson of the Year

• Mick Fawkner – seated thrower

Carbine Club Team of the Year

• Australian Half Marathon Team, World INAS Games

Coach of the Year

• Vicky Lee – tennis

Official of the Year

• Jenny Forssman – gymnastics

PwC Volunteer of the Year

• Melissa Hale – Deaf cricket

VicHealth Initiative of the Year

• Access All Terrain Program (YMCA Victoria, DHHS and Parks Victoria)

Polytan Inclusive Sport, Recreation or Open Space Infrastructure

• Lilydale to Warburton rail trail chicanes (Yarra Ranges Council)

The 2019 VDSR Awards acknowledge and celebrate achievements, initiatives, programs, activities and developments that took place between January 2018 and December 2018. More information is available on the Disability Sport & Recreation website: www.dsr.org.au/awards/

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