Celebrating the inclusive sport and recreation sector across Victoria
The Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards (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.
Last night, Thursday 3 December, the VDSR Awards were live streamed due to COVID-19 and the Victorian disability sporting community celebrated the achievements of our home grown sporting heroes and legends and all those who work hard behind the scenes to help them get there.
Hosted by Disability Sport & Recreation, the VDSR Awards are an opportunity to discover unsung heroes and rising stars and celebrate what’s truly great about accessible and inclusive sport.
“Last night’s event was a fantastic way to reflect on the incredible talent, initiatives and individuals that contribute to the Victorian sport and recreation sector and celebrate International Day of People with Disability,’ said Disability Sport & Recreation CEO, Richard Amon.
“After postponing the awards from early in 2020, we wanted to end what has been a difficult year on a note of positivity and give everyone a sense of hope and community spirit as we look towards a new year of opportunities in 2021.’
“We are following up last night’s excitement with a new virtual version of our Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Festival next week, which will feature videos from exhibitors, interactive activity sessions and time to ask questions, all from your smartphone or computer.’
“Running from Friday 11 – Saturday 12 December, the festival gives people the chance to learn about the different inclusive and disability sport and recreation programs and services across Victoria and how to get involved with them in the new year. With access now easier from all over Victoria, it may even be better than being there in person.’
“Who knows – the step you take towards engaging with sport and recreation at our festival could lead you to be a finalist in our future awards!”
Entrants in the Awards are nominated by state sporting associations, regional sport assemblies, local government, teammates, club members, coaches or their local community in recognition of their outstanding contribution to inclusive sport and recreation.
The outstanding nominations received always makes selecting the finalists a difficult decision, with these Awards being no different, particularly as the number of nominations this year increased by 33%. Disability Sport & Recreation invited 13 highly qualified judges from the sector and charged them with assessing the winners across the 11 award categories.
Winners of the 2020 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards are:
Lifetime Achievement
- Timothy Chiu – DSR Kids recreational camps
Female Sportsperson of the Year
- Phoebe Mitchell – swimming
My Sport Live Male Sportsperson of the Year
- Clint Pickin – para triathlon
Marg Angel Junior Sportsperson of the Year
- Georgia Powning – athletics
Masters Sportsperson of the Year
- Duke Trench-Thiedeman – para badminton
Carbine Club Team of the Year
- Geelong Swimming Club
Coach of the Year
- Sadat-Jon Hussain – swimming
Official of the Year
- Tony Warland – tennis
PwC Volunteer of the Year
- Caytlyn Sharp – athletics
Initiative of the Year
- Access Key Project (Access Ability Australia)
Inclusive Sport, Recreation or Open Space Infrastructure
- Casey Stadium (City of Casey and YMCA Victoria)
The 2020 VDSR Awards acknowledge and celebrate achievements, initiatives, programs, activities and developments that took place between January 2019 and December 2019.
This event is supported by the Victorian Government, My Sport Live, the Carbine Club, Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Box Hill Institute, National Disability Insurance Agency and Paralympics Australia.