DSR & Protect partner for another 3 years

[Image ID: Disability Sport & Recreation coloured logo with a black vertical margin in the centre with the Protect logo in blue on the right hand side of the image]

Protect and Disability Sport & Recreation (DSR) are excited to announce a three year extension to their long term partnership. Protect has been a long term major sponsor of our Wheelchair Rugby Victoria program. Protect is also the naming rights sponsor of the Victorian Protect Thunder state wheelchair rugby team. Since 2013 this partnership has played a vital role in providing program security, enabling more people with a disability in Victoria to play wheelchair rugby. This partnership has been able to provide support to our players to participate, reducing equipment barriers and cost to get involved. Established in 2000, Protect is Australia's leading industry redundancy scheme preferred by 40,000 workers in Australia. Their primary purpose is to support their members, employers, workers and their families during any period of unemployment, illness, injury or personal difficulty. Through the long-term partnership and backing of Protect, DSR have been able to provide support to players to compete both nationally and internationally, with a complete pathway from beginner to Paralympic representation available. Former Paralympian and Wheelchair Rugby Coordinator, Jason Lees is thrilled about the extension of the partnership for another three years. “We are extremely happy to be heading into our 10th year of sponsorship with Protect. The last two years have been very hard for our sport and participants, having very limited opportunities to play. This sponsorship really eases the financial burden for our players to compete at a state and national level and gives us the stability to plan and grow the sport over the next three years” he said. Adding, “It is great that Protect sees the value of being involved with wheelchair rugby in Victoria and has the faith in Disability Sport & Recreation to deliver meaningful wheelchair rugby programs that benefit Victorians living with a disability.”

CEO of Protect, Michael Connolly said,

“Being socially responsible is part of Protect’s objective to be the best worker entitlement fund in Australia. In addition to our environmental initiatives, we are conscious that corporate efforts should be supportive of and inclusive of our diverse membership. Our long association with DSR demonstrates commitment to our values… and we love wheelchair rugby!" This announcement coincides with the release of the fixture of our Protect Victorian Wheelchair Rugby Cup, the premier wheelchair rugby competition which is returning to Box Hill on Monday April 4th. More information on this competition can be found here: Further information and Media Enquiries Protect Services

Kim Edgar kedgar@protect.net.au Marketing Manager

Disability Sport & Recreation

Kris Paproth kris.paproth@dsr.org.au

Fundraising, Marketing & Communications Manager