Sport Access Foundation 2023 Grant Recipients Announcement

Sport Access Foundation (SAF) has announced the 2023 Sport Access Foundation grant recipients, helping Aussie kids with disability to play and participate in sport.

14 Aussie kids with disability and 4 sporting clubs who provide programs to include children with a disability and/or enable children with a disability to be members of their clubs receive Sport Access Foundation grants.

The four grant categories include:

1. Sport Access Foundation No Barriers Grant (aged 7-12 years) $500 x 8
2. Sport Access Foundation Kick Start Grant (aged 13-17 years) $1,000 x 4
3. BlueScope Sporting Club Grant (all registered sporting clubs) $2,000 x 4
4. Compeat Performance Pathway to Paralympics Grant (aged 13-17 years) $1,500 x 2

Sport Access Foundation Founder and Director, and Paralympian Gold Medallist Katie Kelly OAM said the foundation aims to improve inclusion and access to sport and ensure no young Australian is left behind on the sporting sidelines.

"Every year we receive applications from across the country, from young Australians with disability who are seeking support to achieve their sporting goals.

“Their disability is not inspiring - rather it is their determination and resilience to achieve their goals, regardless of the many barriers and disablist attitudes that young people with disability experience.

“While the grants provide financial support which helps to provide opportunities, they are mostly about empowering. The grants ensure every young recipient knows that if they keep showing up, they will be rewarded.

“If you want to know what overcoming adversity is, or how one builds character, then you have it here among our grant recipients.

“Sport Access Foundation Honour Roll members will not be defined by a disability, and they are determined to make a difference by leading through participation in sport to reach their potential, whatever their goals may be.”

Ms Kelly is a founding member of Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability council, providing an advocacy role for one of the key pillars, Play (Sport).

In support of the Sport Access Foundation, Griffith University’s Inclusive Futures: Reimagining Disability beacon hosted the SAF Grant award ceremony at the Gold Coast campus on 17 November 2023.

Inclusive Futures: Reimaging Disability Beacon Director Professor Elizabeth Kendall, said:

“We are proud to host the 2023 SAF grant announcement which will help many young people with disability achieve their sporting goals.

“Young people with disability are so often directed away from sport, but these scholarships and initiatives such as the Griffith Sports College make an important difference.

“Many of these young athletes will be holding our hopes for medals in the 2032 Paralympic events so we need to invest in their careers.”

Sydney 2000 Gold medal Olympian, Australian Stingers Water polo team member and Griffith Sports College Manager Naomi McCarthy said the grants are exciting and important to improving access to sport.

“At the Griffith Sports College we work hard to ensure all athletes are supported through their education while they compete in elite sport.”

“The Sport Access Foundation’s grants will help to ensure young people with disability can access sport and overcome barriers to improve participation - from grassroots through to high performance.”

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Meet the 2023 Sport Access Foundation grant recipients:

• Alexander Blyth - 11 years From: Nowra NSW, Tharawal Country Sport: Boccia, South Coast Stingrays Disability: Physical Disability
• Matilda Chesterton - 12 years From: Newington NSW, Eora Country Sport: Boccia, Wheelchair Fencing, NSW Fencing Association Disability: Physical Disability
• Rowan Gillam - 10 years From: Forest Lake QLD, Yuggera Country Sport: Athletics, Toowoong Harriers Disability: Vision Impairment
• Huntar Gittus - 12 years From: Gagebrook TAS, Paredarerme Country Sport: Judo, Clarence PCYC Disability: Intellectual Disability & Autism
• Scarlet Hope - 11 years From: Kinross WA, Whadjuk Country Sport: Gymnastics Disability: Autism
• Cooper Smith - 13 years From: Tamworth NSW, Kamilaroi Country Sport: Swimming Disability: Cerebral Palsy
• Jacinta Thew - 13 years From: Eora Country Sport: Fencing, Fencing Academy NSW Disability: Physical Disability
• Tahlee Cam - 12 years From: Kaniyang Country Sport: Swimming, Australind Swimming Club Disability: Autism

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• Alexis Kalofonos - 10 years From: Pacific Pines QLD, Yugambeh Country Sport: Baseball, Athletics, Karate Disability: Cerebral Palsy
• Mia Kertesz - 13 years From: Pine Mountain QLD, Yuggera Country Sport: Athletics, Colleges Cross Little Athletics and Ipswich & District Athletics Club Disability: Physical Disability, Achondroplasia
• Jordan Mouritz - 16 years From: Clarkson WA, Whadjuk Country Sport: Wheelchair Basketball Disability: Physical Disability, Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT)
• Angus Murrie - 16 years From: Carnegie VIC, Wurundjeri Country Sport: Triathlon - Inclusive Sports Training Disability: Physical Disability

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• Goalball Western Australia - Est. 2010 From: Victoria Park WA, Whadjuk Country Sport: Goalball Disability: Vision Impairment
• South East Queensland Wheelchair Rugby League - Est. 2013 From: Brendale QLD, Turrball Country Sport: Wheelchair Rugby League Disability: Physical Disability
• Sutherland Shire Water Polo Association - Est. 1964 From: Sutherland NSW, Tharawal Country Sport: Water Polo Disability: Intellectual Disability & Autism
• Victorian Blind Cricket Association - Est. 1922 From: Kooyong VIC, Wurundjeri Country Sport: Blind Cricket Disability: Vision Impairment

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• Grace Brimelow - 16 years From: Woombye QLD, Dyungungoo (Gubbi Gubbi) Country Sport: Para-triathlon Disability: Physical Disability
• Brody Velthuis - 14 years From: Capalaba QLD, Quandamooka Country Sport: Triathlon Disability: Vision Impairment

To view the Sport Access Foundation Honour Roll, please click the button below.