Disability Sport and Recreation is proud to unveil the finalists for this year’s 2023 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards (VDSR Awards).
The VDSR Awards celebrate and acknowledge the unsung heroes, talented athletes, dedicated volunteers, exceptional coaches, inclusive clubs, and empowering programs within the disability sport and recreation sector.
“We’re incredibly proud that the VDSR Awards continue to grow and provide an opportunity to come together in recognition of the outstanding achievements across our sector,” Disability Sport and Recreation Programs & Events Manager, Marshall James said.
“Disability Sport and Recreation is thrilled to be hosting this year’s event at the iconic Marvel Stadium and we look forward to celebrating the extraordinary contributions to inclusive sport and recreation in Victoria,” James concluded.
This year saw a record number of nominations once again, showcasing the continued growth and accomplishments within inclusive sport and recreation. The talented panel of independent judges faced a difficult task when selecting finalists, with the quality of nominations improving year after year.
"It was an honour to review the exceptional calibre of nominations for the 2023 Disability Sport and Recreation Awards,” Executive Officer of Regional Sports Victoria and judging panel member, Meghan Mayman said.
“I applaud the remarkable achievements of every athlete, volunteer, official, administrator, sport club, program, and individual who was nominated. Their accomplishments throughout this year are truly commendable, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude to those who consistently strive to create better experiences for those participating in disability sports and recreation on a daily basis," Mayman concluded.
Disability Sport & Recreation is honoured to announce the 2023 VDSR Awards finalists:
1. Sport and Recreation Victoria Volunteer of the Year
Anne Cherny, Multiclass Sports Association
Cally Bauman, Special Olympics Melbourne Inner East
Brooke Carter, Victorian Goalball Association
2. Love the Game Team of the Year
Victoria Protect Thunder Wheelchair Rugby Team, Disability Sport & Recreation/Wheelchair Rugby Victoria
Team Vic, Special Olympics Victoria
Melbourne City FC Powerchair Team, Melbourne City FC
3. Polytan Elite Sportsperson of the Year
Sarah Larcombe, Sport Climbing Victoria/Adaptive Climbing Victoria
Andrew Robbins, Dandenong Casey Titans Special Olympics Sports Club/Melbourne Southern Special Olympics
Vicki Robbins, Special Olympics Australia/Dandenong Casey Titans/Melbourne Southern Special Olympics/Bocce Australia
4. Active Melbourne Community Sportsperson of the Year
Rebecca Webber, Rare Voices Australia & Reining Australia
Chris Henderson, Richmond FC Wheelchair AFL
Daniel Pritchard, Victorian Goalball Association
5. My Sport Live Masters Sportsperson of the Year
Nazim Erdem, Wheelchair Rugby Victoria
Maria Strong, Athletics Victoria/Athletics Essendon
Ross Patterson, Tennis Victoria/Tennis Australia
6. Sport and Recreation Victoria Sport Initiative of the Year
AFL Barwon Inclusion League, Leisure Networks/AFL Barwon
Inclusion@Sport Project, Banyule City Council
Victorian Blind Tennis Program, Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria
7. Clublinks Active Recreation Initiative of the Year
Advantage Autism - The Au-Tastic Tennis Program, Slamin Tennis and Fitness
The Bubble - a sensory friendly water safety experience, Life Saving Victoria
emotion21, Inclusion Foundation
8. Carbine Club Marg Angel Junior Sportsperson of the Year
Jack Howell, Triathlon Australia
Brady Cochrane, Basketball Victoria
Cayden Bell, Cranbourne Little Athletics Centre
9. WorkSafe Victoria Administrator of the Year
Serene Tan, Gymnastics Victoria
Jon Watson, Tennis Victoria
Shane Bicknell, Little Athletics Victoria Western Country Region
10. My Sport Live Coach/Fitness Leader of the Year
Sally Francis OAM, Para Equestrian
Mary Longden, Riding for the Disabled Victoria
Vicky Lee, Slamin Tennis and Fitness
11. Polytan Inclusive Sport, Recreation or Open Space Infrastructure
Powered Beach Wheelchair, City of Port Phillip
Camp Manyung, YMCA Camping
12. Kevin Coombs Lifetime Achievement Award
Julie Cass, Cranbourne All Abilities Football
Danni Di Toro, Table Tennis Victoria
Aileen Marshall, Maryborough Riding for the Disabled
We look forward to celebrating the remarkable achievements of all finalists and hope you can join us in making history at the world-renowned, Marvel Stadium!
Key event details:
Date: Tuesday 3rd October, 2023
Time: 4:30pm - 8:30pm
Venue: Victory Room, Marvel Stadium
For tickets and further event details, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/2023-victorian-disability-sport-and-recreation-awards-tickets-698194226727.
Disability Sport & Recreation extends a huge thank you to our Major Partners, Polytan, The Carbine Club and WorkSafe Victoria, Associate Sponsors, Victorian Government, My Sport Live, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Active Melbourne and Clublinks, and Event Supporters, Sports Accounting and VicHealth. The VDSR Awards would not be possible without your generosity and support.
For more information on the 2023 VDSR Award categories, please visit: www.dsr.org.au/vdsr-awards.