Nominations open today, Monday 11 July, for the 2022 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards (VDSR Awards).
The VDSR Awards are 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.
With Disability Sport and Recreation celebrating their 60th birthday this year, the 2022 Awards are more than ever an opportunity to discover unsung heroes and rising stars and celebrate what’s truly great about accessible and inclusive sport. With the location once again at PwC Southbank, the Awards should be a true night to remember.
Entrants in the Awards are nominated by state sporting associations, regional sport assemblies, local government, individuals, teammates, club members, coaches or their local community in recognition of their outstanding contribution to inclusive sport and recreation.
The 2022 VDSR Award categories are:
· Kevin Coombs Lifetime Achievement Award
· My Sport Live Sportsperson of the Year – Elite
· My Sport Live Sportsperson of the Year – Community
· Masters Sportsperson of the Year
· Administrator of the Year
· Coach/Fitness Leader of the Year
· PwC Volunteer of the Year
· Initiative of the Year – Sport
· Active Recreation and Leisure Initiative of the Year
· Inclusive Sport, Recreation or Open Space Infrastructure Award
· Team of the Year
The VDSR Awards have previously celebrated elite level Paralympians including Dylan Alcott OAM, Paralympics Gold Medal winner, Olympic Gold Medal winner and winner of eleven grand slam singles title in wheelchair tennis and Dr Jessica Gallagher, who went on to become the 2018 Commonwealth Games Sports Ambassador for Cycling.
The Awards have recognised the dedication and commitment to the sector by many individuals including Maurice Gleeson, who has worked tirelessly for the blind and vision impaired community for over 40 years and Greg Crump, whose contribution to wheelchair tennis both here and abroad stretches over 30 years.
2022 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards key dates:
Nominations open Monday 11 July, 2022
Nominations close Midnight Wednesday 31 August, 2022
Judging September, 2022
Finalists announced October, 2022
Awards ceremony Tuesday 8 November, 2022
“As the awareness around inclusive sport and recreation grows, so too does the number of programs and initiatives supporting Victorians with disability to get active.” said Disability Sport & Recreation CEO, Richard Amon.
“Our sector is made up of many humble people, who quietly go about volunteering, coaching and supporting people with disability so they can live healthy, active lives.
“Together, these individuals, organisations and clubs are making tremendous, positive change in the lives of people with disability.
“We strongly encourage everyone to consider those people who are making a quiet, but significant impact in their communities and acknowledge their contribution by nominating them for an award.
The outstanding achievement on the sporting field will also be considered including the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic games held in late 2021.”
Nominations for the 2022 VDSR Awards are for achievements, initiatives, programs, activities and developments that took place between July 2021 and June 2022.
More information is available on the Disability Sport & Recreation website:
The Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards are an initiative of Disability Sport & Recreation (DSR), supported by My Sport Live, The Carbine Club, PwC and the Victorian Government. Sponsorship packages are still available for organisations wishing to be involved.
About Disability Sport & Recreation
Celebrating 60 years in 2022, DSR is a for-purpose organisation with a proud history of supporting Victorians with disability to get physically active. Our vision is a Victoria where all people with disability can choose and access any sport or active recreation they want to engage with.