Awarded to two registered sporting clubs affiliated with a National Sporting Organisation (as recognised by Sport Australia).
The funding can be used for new and upgraded equipment such as marquees, lights, accessible club room and restrooms, accessible technology for club digital, cost to implement programs specifically for children with a disability and / or education of club officials / coaches / volunteers on working with children with a disability.
Goalball, a Paralympian sport, is specifically designed for the blind and vision impaired, although as all players wear blacked-out eye shades, both sighted and vision impaired players are equal on court. Goalball WA aims to help its players reach their full potential, and to support them if they would like to challenge themselves to aim for the Paralympics.
Nicole Abbott, Chairperson for Goalball WA said:
“The grant will be put towards the purchase of 10 junior balls which are unique to the game, weighing 750gm and containing a bell. These are manufactured overseas which makes it a financial hurdle for our organisation. We can’t thank the Sports Access Foundation enough and are very grateful. Being a small unique sport that is known as ‘the toughest game no one has heard about’ makes receiving funding a challenge and we appreciate any help we receive.”
The funding will assist members with Autism, Intellectual Disability, Vision Impairment, Cerebral Palsy and Physical Disability, and provide specialised coaching for them.
Funds will go towards programs supported by Sport Access Foundation that will remove barriers for young Indigenous girls in Bunjalung country (Northern NSW region) to access sport.
The funding can be used for new and upgraded equipment such as marquees, lights, accessible club room and restrooms, accessible technology for club digital, cost to implement programs specifically for children with a disability and / or education of club officials /coaches / volunteers on working with children with a disability.
Funds will assist with entry fees and costs for indigenous youth to participate in the 2022 event.
This grant was provided to help future Paralympians to meet their high performance expenses and the additional costs incurred through training and travelling to competitions.
Each recipient also receives CompEat Integrated performance support; the same support offered to Paralympians and Elite athletes including the Matildas, to support their personal and athletic development.
Age: 13 Sport: Athletics / Running From: St Mary’s, NSW Disability: Vision impairment
“Within the next year I am hoping to re-break my Australian Records in my classification and, as I get older and faster, edge closer to world records and achieve my long term goals of going to the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games.
Age: 17 Sport: Paratriathlon From: Berwick, VIC Disability: Amputee
“This grant will help me with travel costs to attend National Junior and Paratriathlon races and hopefully international racing when COVID restrictions lift. I am very honoured to be selected from so many wonderful young athletes in Australia.”
Age: 10 Sport: Swimming From: Helensvale, QLD Disability: Cerebral Palsy
Age: 11 Sport: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu From: Rockingham, WA Disability: Cerebral Palsy
Age: 9 Sport: Athletics From: Bort, VIC Disability: Physical Disability
Age: 10 Sport: Swimming From: Bullsbrook, WA Disability: Idiopathic Scoliosis
Founded by two times Paralympian and Gold medalist (Rio 2016), Katie Kelly OAM, Sport Access Foundation was established to help create opportunities for Australian children with a disability, so that they can play and participate in sport.
“It was an honour to stand alongside our grant recipients and represent Australia at Tokyo. Now, thanks to the ongoing support of our sponsors and partners we’re thrilled to be inspiring the next group of Paralympians with the latest round of grants,” Katie said.
The three former recipients of Sport Access Foundation’s annual grant program who featured on the world stage at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympic Games in August were:
Mark Vassella, Managing Director and CEO of BlueScope, said the COVID-19 pandemic had highlighted the important role of local sporting clubs in the lives of Australian communities.
“Sporting Clubs are crucial for our communities, providing the social networks that encourage interactions to combat isolation and loneliness. It is important that young people who have a disability, are included in these activities by taking part in sport through their local club.”
“BlueScope is delighted to continue its support of the Foundation and we look forward to seeing this year’s recipients succeed on and off the pitch.”
Your donation will go towards providing financial assistance and support to enable children with a disability to participate in sporting activities. Every dollar goes direct to the grant recipients to help with the cost of their sport, including modified equipment, carer costs, transport and fees.
