Sport Inclusion Australia and Basketball Australia have pleasure in announcing the players to represent Australia in the men’s Basketball competition at the 2019 INAS Global Games.

Known as the Boomerangs, the men’s basketball team features seven players that won Bronze at the last INAS Basketball World Championships in Italy in 2017 (Jake De La Motte (VIC), Joshua Cleary (TAS), Wayne Kinross (SA), Brad Kinross (SA), Justin Koenig (ACT), James Myers (VIC) and Frazer Dawber (VIC)).  South Australian brothers Keenan and Zachary Georg-Dent along with Victoria’s James DeBetta and Ryan Briggs are making their debut in the Green and Gold.

Head Coach Julia Walsh will take the Boomerangs into her first INAS Global Games after a long preparation period.  “We have a very experienced team of players that have competed at previous INAS Global Games and World Championships and along with our new players they have all worked very hard over the past 12 months to prepare for these Games.” Walsh said.

The Boomerangs have never finished higher than third and with the current European and World Championship Gold medallist France and Silver medallists Portugal coming, the Boomerangs will have to be at their best, but with the top point scorer from the last INAS World Championships and Australian Ivor Burge Championships, Jake De La Motte in good form the team are confident of matching it with their European opponents and hopefully achieving their best ever result.

“It has been a pleasure to watch this team come together and develop under the tutelage of Julia, they have blended well as a team and we are hopeful of this team improving on the 2017 INAS World Championship Bronze medal”. said Sport Inclusion Australia CEO Robyn Smith.

The INAS Global Games will be held in Brisbane from 12-19 October with the men’s Basketball competition scheduled for 13-19 October.

Boomerangs Basketball team for the 2019 INAS Global Games

Players: Joshua Cleary (Tas), Frazer Dawber (Vic), Jake De La Motte (Vic), James Debetta (Vic), Keenan George-Dent (SA), Zachary George-Dent (SA), Wayne Kinross (SA), Brad Kinross (SA), Justin Koenig (ACT), James Myers (Vic)

Head Coach: Julia Walsh (Vic),

Manager: Glen Jordan (Vic)

Asst Coaches: Damian Clarke (Vic), Ryan Holloway (Vic), Emma Neilson (Vic)

Contact:
Julia Walsh, Head Coach 0431 731 314
Robyn Smith, CEO Sport Inclusion Australia 0418 979 459

Players on request via Glen Jordan Manager 0415 315 025

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About GG2019

The INAS Global Games is a world-class sporting competition for elite athletes with an intellectual impairmentthat represents the peak of sporting achievement. Held once every four years, the Global Games sees competitors from up to 80 countries going for gold and vying for the honour of being recognised as the best in their field.

Over seven intensive days of competition, athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators alike will revel in the spectacle of world-class and friendly rivalry, whilst simultaneously enjoying the welcoming inclusive spirit of the Games. Sports competition will be held in Brisbane bests sporting facilities including Sleeman Sports Complex, Queensland Tennis Centre and Queensland State Athletics Centre to name a few.

The INAS Global Games is a celebration of cultural diversity and allows athletes to compete in a secure, fun and friendly environment. The Games also work to promote INAS’s goals of changing attitudes, challenging perceptions, creating opportunities, developing pathways and strengthening communities.

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Ten  Official INAS Sports at the INAS Global Games – Brisbane 2019

·       Athletics ·       Cycling ·       Swimming ·       Tennis

·       Basketball ·       Futsal ·       Table Tennis

·       Cricket ·       Rowing ·       Taekwondo – Poomsae

AFL – will host a Demonstration event (Male AFL Players with intellectual impairment)

Netball – The Marie Little Shield (National Championships for Female netballers with Intellectual Impairment)

Sport Inclusion Australia today announced the team of 39 swimmers to represent Australia at the 2019 INAS Global Games (GG2019) in Brisbane in October.  The team is the largest team assembled for an INAS competition consisting of several World Record holders, Paralympians, World Champions, one former Olympian and 11 debutants.

Australia has competed at every Global Games and our swimmers have dominated the pool on every occasion, with Australia finishing on top of the Games medal tally at the past three Games.

“Australia has a proud and successful record in swimming at all levels, it is exciting to see the blend of experience and youth in this team which we are sure will do Australia and themselves proud in Brisbane.” said Robyn Smith CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia.

The Games will be the first time many of these swimmers have had the opportunity to compete in an international event on home soil in front of family and friends.

Stand-out performances are expected from Individual World Record holders Liam Schluter (QLD) Phoebe Mitchell (VIC) and Colin Marks (QLD). However, such a large team of high-performing athletes will produce many memorable moments.

The 2019 INAS Global Games will see the introduction of the II-2 and II-3 groups which feature athletes with Down syndrome and High functioning Autism respectively.  Mitchell has dominated the Down syndrome World Championships and currently holds 7 individual World Records. She has a full program having been selected in 11 events, but will clearly have to cut back her events come Games time.

Adelaide’s Magdalena Moshi represented Tanzania at the 2012 Olympics in London.  Now an Australian citizen, Moshi has resumed swimming and is looking forward to representing Australia in Brisbane in the II-3 events.

“It is exciting to see the three groups coming together as one team for the first time as well as the blend of experienced and new swimmers.” said head coach Andrew (Herbie) Howard.

The teams youngest competitor Lachlan Hanratty (NSW) is just 15 years of age with NSW’s Patrick Donachie the oldest competitor at 36 years of age.  Donachie first represented Australia at the 2000 Paralympics where he won a Gold medal in the 4 x 100m relay.

Schluter, the World record holder in the 200m and 400m freestyle events, will head to London in September as part of the Australian Dolphins team for the World Para Swimming Championships along with Jade Lucy (NSW), Jack Ireland (QLD) and Madeleine McTernan (QLD).

The 2019 INAS Global Games will be the first international experience for 10 swimmers, and 11 swimmers will wear the green and gold for the first time.

The swimming competition will be held at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Brisbane from 13 to 19 October 2019.  For more information on the 2019 INAS Global Games visit www.globalgames2019.org

 

Australian Swim Team – INAS Global Games, Brisbane 2019

Joshua Alford (ACT), Taylor Anderton (QLD), Liam Bailey-Rose (QLD)*, Claire Barr (VIC)*, Russell Booysen (QLD), Harry Cahill (QLD), Katrina Coffey (QLD), Amy Cook (NSW), Michael Cox (QLD), Lily Crawford (NSW), Jack Dixon (QLD), Patrick Donachie (NSW), Bradley Doolan (VIC), Jarrod Dyer (NSW)*, Nicole Fielden (QLD)*, Jeremy Gawne (QLD), Darcy Gilson (NSW)*, Lachlan Hanratty (NSW)*, Nikesha Harding (NSW), Gabriella Howells (NSW), Jack Ireland (QLD), Victoria Jessamine (NSW)*, Caitlin Kerby (QLD), Mitchell Kilduff (NSW), Paige Leonhardt (QLD),  Jade Lucy (NSW), Colin Marks (QLD), Madeleine McTernan (QLD), Phoebe Mitchell (VIC), Benjamin Morrison (VIC), Magdalena Moshi (SA)*, Ashley-Kate Schlenner (QLD), Liam Schluter (QLD), Bailey Stewart (QLD)*, Benjamin Stokes (ACT), Ruby Storm (VIC), Mitchell Toohey (QLD), Ashley Van Rijswijk (NSW)*, Sarah Wallace (QLD)*.   Debutants identified with *

• Head Coach: Andrew(Herbie) Howard (QLD)
• Manager: June Cotter (QLD)
• Asst Coaches: David Heyden (QLD), Sadat-Jon Hussain (VIC), Craig Tobin (QLD), Guilherme Santos (QLD)

 

Contacts

Herbie Howard – Head Coach
herbieh@bigpond.net.au
0439 723 524

Robyn Smith – CEO, Sport Inclusion Australia
robyn.smith@sportinclusionaustralia.org.au
0418 979 459

 

About GG2019

The INAS Global Games is a world-class sporting competition for elite athletes with an intellectual impairmentthat represents the peak of sporting achievement. Held once every four years, the Global Games sees competitors from up to 80 countries going for gold and vying for the honour of being recognised as the best in their field.

Over seven intensive days of competition, athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators alike will revel in the spectacle of world-class and friendly rivalry, whilst simultaneously enjoying the welcoming inclusive spirit of the Games. Sports competition will be held in Brisbane bests sporting facilities including Sleeman Sports Complex, Queensland Tennis Centre and Queensland State Athletics Centre to name a few.

The INAS Global Games is a celebration of cultural diversity and allows athletes to compete in a secure, fun and friendly environment. The Games also work to promote INAS’s goals of changing attitudes, challenging perceptions, creating opportunities, developing pathways and strengthening communities.

Ten Official INAS Sports at the INAS Global Games – Brisbane 2019

• Athletics
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Basketball
• Futsal
• Table Tennis
• Cricket
• Rowing
• Taekwondo – Poomsae
• AFL will host a Demonstration event (Male AFL Players with intellectual impairment)
• Netball The Marie Little Shield (National Championships for Female netballers with Intellectual Impairment)

The Australian cycling team for the INAS Global Games – Brisbane 2019 will be the largest cycling team ever selected for an INAS competition.  The team of 8 men and 5 women will represent Australia at the Games in road and track cycling.

“We are delighted to see so many athletes step up for the Games and the support of Cycling Victoria and Cycling Australia providing the pathway and opportunities for these athletes” said Robyn Smith CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia.

Sport Inclusion Australia works with sporting organisations to be inclusive and to provide opportunities for all Australians.

“We are pleased to be supporting the INAS Global Games and Sport Inclusion Australia in providing opportunities for people with an Intellectual Impairment to represent Australia.  We look forward to continuing to work with Sport Inclusion Australia to provide further opportunities in the future.”  said Cycling Australia General Manager – Sport Kipp Kaufmann.

The INAS Global Games is the peak competition for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment.  Held every 4 years, Brisbane will host the 5^th INAS Global Games from the 12^th to the 19^th of October.

Australia has competed at all 4 previous Games but has only sent cyclists to the 2009 and 2011 games in the Czech Republic and Italy.  Victoria’s Nathan Broeren has competed and medalled at both Games and will return for the Games in Brisbane.  Broeren will be joined by fellow Victorians: Andre Ascui, Carlo Manolitsas, Cameron Marshall, Harry Mezger, Julian Ursini and Jamieson Whiteley along with Queensland’s Nathan Glarvey.

Our women’s team of Annaliese Hodge, Chloe Turner, Molly Thatcher, Montana Whiteley and Georgia Powning all come from Victoria.

The team also sees the first brother and sister representation with Montana and Jamieson Whiteley.

Victoria should be well proud of its contribution to this team with 12 of the 13 athletes selected hailing from the southern state.

Broeren collected two Bronze medals in the Individual Time Trial and Team Time Trial in 2009 and also finished 2^nd in the overall standings.  In Italy he finished 3^rd in the Men’s Road Race.

Apart from Broeren the INAS Global Games will be the first appearance for all as cyclists in the Green and Gold and the first experience for Head Coach Brad Reardon of Queensland.  “I am looking forward to the Games and importantly helping this team of cyclists to perform at their best in front of a home crowd.” Reardon said.

Glarvey first represented Australia at the INAS Athletics World Championships in 2001 in Tunisia and then Canberra in 2005, while Mezger, Turner, Powning, Whiteley (Montana) and Manolitsas all represented Australia at the INAS World Half Marathon in Portugal in 2018.

The Opening Ceremony for the INAS Global Games is on the 12^th of October with cycling events to kick off on the 14^th.  Brisbane will see the introduction of track cycling for the first time on the INAS Global Games program.

Australian Cycling Team – INAS Global Games – Brisbane 2019

Men

• Nathan Broeren (VIC)
• Harry Mezger (VIC)
• Cameron Marshall (VIC)
• Julian Ursini (VIC)
• Andre Ascui (VIC
• Carlo Manolitsas (VIC)
• Jamieson Whiteley (VIC)
• Nathan Glarvey (QLD)

Women

• Annaliese Hodge (VIC)
• Chloe Turner (VIC)
• Montana Whiteley (VIC)
• Georgia Powning (VIC)
• Molly Thatcher (VIC)

Head Coach: Brad Reardon (QLD)

Noeleen Dix has excelled at sport both on and off the court.    As an athlete she represented Victoria at National Netball Championships  and in 1981 she made her debut for Australia playing in the Netball tri-series against England and New Zealand.

Her biggest contribution to the sport came when she joined Netball Australia as National Executive Director in 1988 and was general manager of the 1991 Netball World Cup organising committee when the tournament was played in Sydney.

Such was Dix’s influence that she was awarded the 1992 Confederation of Australian Sport Administrator of the Year for the management of the world championships.

Noeleen served as President of Netball Australia for ten years, during which time she played a major role in:

• establishing the ANZ Championship in 2008
• leading the Netball Australia governance reform
• successfully bidding for the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney,
• was also Australia’s International Delegate to the International Netball Federation (INF) Board at three International Congress Meetings and Honorary Secretary of the Asian Netball Region, and
• saw Australia a clear No.1 in the world having won the past three Netball World Cups – 2007, 2011 and 2015 – as well as ending the country’s 12-year Commonwealth Games Gold Medal drought in 2014.

Proud of Australia’s achievements on the international stage, Noeleen was equally proud of Netball’s successes at grass roots with the ANZ NetSetGO program which has grown to have over 200,000 youngsters registered.

Well regarded and acknowledged by her peers for having a very strong values system, and respected for her honesty, integrity and transparency.

The Global Games Sports Company is delighted to have someone of the calibre of Noeleen Dix on it’s Board and congratulates Noeleen on her achievements and her contribution to sport, contribution that saw Noeleen made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this years Queens Birthday Honours list.

Australia’s boxing legend Jeff Horn has thrown his weight into the ring as the third official Ambassador for the 2019 INAS Global Games – Brisbane.

The former WBO Welterweight Champion who calls Brisbane home was a natural choice for the Ambassador role.

“I’m honoured to join the INAS Global Games and very excited to play a role in this inspirational celebration of athletic ability,” Horn said.

The INAS Global Games, held every four years, is the world’s largest sporting event for elite athletes with an intellectual impairment and will be held 12-19 October in Brisbane.  Over 1,000 athletes will compete across nine sports in a celebration of sport, culture and ability.

“Being born and bred in Brisbane I am very proud to be an Ambassador for this major sporting event and I am certainly encouraging everyone to come along and experience the unique greatness of these Games.”

“With athletes from up to 80 countries proudly contesting success throughout these Games, we will see not only exceptional athletic prowess, but witness the courage and determination as these international athletes strive to be the very best that they can be,” adds Horn.

The boxing great joins Australia’s tennis legend, Pat Rafter and Paralympic swimming sensation Daniel Fox as 2019 INAS Global Games Ambassadors.

“It’s great to have Jeff along on the GG2019 journey with the compelling passion and sheer determination he shows in the ring.  I know his reputation and ability to connect with all of Australia and globally will be a real benefit in promoting the INAS Global Games,” says GGSC CEO, Robyn Smith.

“It is not only Jeff’s fighting spirit and his success in the ring that makes him the perfect Ambassador; it is his humble demeanor and personal commitment for inclusivity in schools and society, as he leads the way to reduce bullying and discrimination, that makes him stand out,” adds Smith.

In joining Pat Rafter and Daniel Fox, Jeff Horn will be actively promoting the vision of the Global Games – that inclusive sport has the ability to change attitudes, challenge perceptions and strengthen communities both locally and globally.

 

For more information contact:
Global Games Sports Company
mail@gg2019.org

Sport Inclusion Australia has today announced the athletics team to represent Australia at the 2019 INAS Global Games in Brisbane in October.

The team of 35 athletes is the largest team to represent Australia in an INAS athletics competition, surpassing the team of 27 athletes who represented Australia at the INAS World Championships in Canberra in 2005.

“It is very pleasing to see so many athletes qualify for the Games and be selected, in particular athletes such as Lleyton Lloyd (NSW) and Edward Parker (NSW) who were introduced to International competition in the youth component of the 2017 INAS Athletics World Championships now stepping up to qualify in the open events.” said Head Coach Anula Costa.

The team includes 17 of the 24 athletes who represented Australia in Thailand including INAS High jump world champion Caytlyn Sharp (VIC) and bronze medallist over 400m Alberto Campbell (QLD).

The youngest member of the team is NSW’s Annabelle Johnson (14) who will compete in the II-3 100m, 200m, 400m and long jump events.  NSW’s Stephanie Schweitzer will be making her 6^th appearance for Australia at an INAS Championship event.  Schweitzer debuted in Brazil at the 2007 INAS Athletics World Championships as a 14 year old.

The team includes 13 athletes making their first appearance in the Green and Gold.

The selection of the team comes following the National Championships held in Sydney where athletes recorded 66 INAS Global Games qualifying performances.  Selectors expect to add several athletes in coming weeks as athletes complete eligibility, fitness tests and the final qualifying event the Arafura Games in Darwin.

The 2019 INAS Global Games will see the introduction of 2 new groups, II-2 for athletes with Down syndrome and II-3 for high functioning athletes with autism.  INAS has recently introduced the two new groups on a trial basis and they are being introduced into athletics for the first time in Brisbane.  Australia will field athletes in all three groups.

“The INAS Global Games has provided an opportunity to showcase the amazing ability of our athletes, our aims are to change attitudes, challenge perceptions and strengthen communities locally and globally. Seeing so many athletes inspired to make the team and the increased awareness amongst the general community and sporting organisations to celebrate inclusive sporting excellence suggests we are on target.”  said Robyn Smith, CEO of the Global Games Sports Company and Sport Inclusion Australia.

“The athletics team is the first team to be announced and we look forward to promoting teams from other sports as they are finalised.  Being a home games we look forward to having the largest team and continuing Australia’s dominance of the INAS Global Games having finished on top of the medal tally at the 4 previous INAS Global Games.”  Robyn Smith.

The INAS Global Games is a multi sport competition for athletes with an intellectual impairment, it commenced in Sweden in 2004 and has since been held in Czech Republic (2009), Italy (2011), Ecuador (2015) and now in Australia.  There are nine core sports: Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Hockey, Futsal, Rowing, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo – Poomsae, Tennis.  Australia will include the sports of AFL, Cricket and Netball.

The athletics competition is sanctioned by World Para Athetics and will provide classification opportunities for athletes in the Paralympic pathway.

 

2019 INAS Global Games Australian Athletics team

Women

Amelia Mazzei (NSW), Annabelle Johnson (NSW), Annabelle Rodgers (NSW), Belinda  Scott (NSW), Brittney Beilby (NSW), Caytlyn Sharp (VIC), Chloe Turner (VIC), Ebonie Cooper, (QLD), Eliesha Byrt (VIC), Georgia Powning (VIC), Jessie Venner (QLD), Katelyn Smith (NSW), Kirstie Newcombe (VIC), Lillee Wakefield (SA), Nicole Harris (NSW), Steph Schweitzer (NSW)

Men

Alberto Campbell (QLD), Amechai Bawdon (SA), Andre Rivett (QLD), Blake Carr (NSW), Daniel Milone (VIC), Drew Semmens (VIC), Edward Parker (NSW), Harry Mezger (VIC), Hugo Taheny (SA), Jack Connors (NSW), Jacob Sesar (VIC), Kyle McIntosh (NSW), Lindsey Hendy (QLD), Lleyton Lloyd (NSW), Matt Guild (QLD), Nathan Woods (SA), Terry Price (WA), Timon Sideris (SA), Timothy D’Abrera (ACT)

 

For further information on the 2019 INAS Global Games and or the Australian Athletics team contact:

• Robyn Smith, CEO Global Games Sports Company 0418 979 459
• Anula Costa, Athletics Head Coach, 0407 118 895
• Michael Thomson, Sport Inclusion Australia, Athletics Coordinator 0414 733 339

In very exciting news Sport Inclusion Australia and Deaf Sports Australia (DSA) are very pleased to confirm that they are recipients of a Better Ageing grant. This new venture covers both Australians with intellectually impairment and deaf and hard of hearing. The unique collaboration will see an Inclusion Sports Program delivering jointly created initiatives which will assist mainstream sports to be inclusive of older Australians with a disability and build the capacity of National Sports Organisations (NSOs) program delivery at all levels. Sport Inclusion Australia and DSA will work closely with Bowls Australia and Golf Australia in developing tool kits, education resources and workshops which will enhance each NSO’s workforce understanding of inclusive practices and promote better engagement initiatives for partcipants, who presently may be missing out.

The initiatives will concentrate on nationally presented workshops, development of new resources and online access to communication tools and skills which will provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for participants.

The Inclusion Sports Program aims to ensure mainstream sports programs are inclusive of older Australians with a disability, ensuring that they are more engaged and included in all levels of the sport’s program delivery. DSA General Manager Garry West-Bail states “To deliver a unique project in partnership with Sport Inclusion Australia marks a new strategic chapter for both organisations, we are stronger together and this new focus will have many positive outcomes for both participants and staff; each organisation has a similar ethos, values and commitment to the person first where sport is a vehicle for a person to aspire to be the best they can possibly be in a welcoming inclusive environment”

Sport Inclusion Australia CEO Robyn Smith has stated that “We are thrilled to bring together the strength and experience of our two organisations to deliver strategies that align so well with both our ideologies. We look forward to working with both the golfing and bowls sectors in achieving greater enagement for some of the communities most vulnerable members.”

In support of the initiative, Golf Australia Inclusion Senior Manager Christian Hamilton stated “We identify shared values on the importance of education and support for clubs, coaches and administrators to support participants who are deaf and hard of hearing or have an intellectual impairment in our sport.”

Bowls Australia CEO Neil Dalrymple stated “the tool kits, education resources and programs to drive participation will greatly assist Bowls Australia, particularly because these resources are designed to assist us to promote inclusive practices.”

The Move It AUS – Better Ageing program aims to prevent and reduce the impact of chronic disease and increase overall physical and mental health of older Australians.

In addition to the health benefits, engaging in physical activity and group sports for older Australians provides increasingly important opportunities for socialisation, peer-support, conversation and reduces the possibility for loneliness related physical and mental illnesses.

Deaf Sport Australia and Sport Inclusion Australia will commence planning the overall program and deliverables during May 2019 – the Inclusion Sport program will work with Bowls Australia and Golf Australia’s programs up until the end of 2020.

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For more information please contact

Deaf Sport Australia
Garry West-Bail, General Manager
0419641645
garry.west-bail@deafsports.org.au

Sport Inclusion Australia
Robyn Smith, CEO
0418 979 459
robyn.smith@sportinclusionaustralia.org.au

As we celebrate International Women’s Day it is fitting to look back at some amazing women who have not just contributed but have shaped our organisation and sport in Australia to be inclusive and respectful of all Australians.

• Marie T Little OAM (Founder)
• Lisa Llorens OAM (Athletics)
• Siobhan Paton OAM (Swimming)
• Kim Larkin OAM (Basketball)

Marie T Little OAM (Founder/President/Life Member)
The founder of AUSRAPID and its President for its first 25 years, Marie was the driving force behind AUSRAPID and the fight for inclusion.  Marie sadly passed away in 2014 and was posthumously admitted to the INAS Hall of Fame in 2015.

Marie worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people with an intellectual disability.  Her vision on integration was ahead of her time and has ensured that people with an intellectual disability who don’t always achieve in the education or employment areas have experienced success and a sense of belonging in the community through their involvement in mainstream sport.   Marie espoused the philosophy to open mainstream sporting and recreation services to all Australians regardless of their ability and this philosophy is now adopted by Sport Australia, Paralympics Australia and many National Sporting Organisations.  She lobbied many government agencies seeking support of her visionary philosophy and presented numerous papers at International conferences.

Marie was also the first female to be elected to the International Paralympic Committee, IPC in 1993 and was the first female to be President of the Australian Paralympic Committee in 1997.

Marie was acknowledged with a Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to Sport and people with a disability.

 

Lisa Llorens OAM (Athlete)
Known as “The Cheetah” for her speed and affinity with the worlds fastest land animal,  Lisa dominated the sport of Athletics at the 2000 Olympics winning 3 Gold and one silver medal. During the Long Jump competition Lisa broke the world record on three occasions.

Lisa competed at the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta, winning a gold and a bronze in track and field events and was later acknowledged with a Medal of the Order of Australia for her gold medal

Lisa also competed at the IPC Athletics World Championships, INAS Global Games and INAS Athletics World Championships adding to her impressive medal tally at every event.

The Australian Paralympic Committee described her as “Australia’s most outstanding female athlete with an intellectual disability”.

In 1997, Lisa was awarded the Australian Capital Territory Female Sportstar of the Year award and Young Canberra Citizen of the Year.  Lisa was inducted into the ACT Sport Hall of Fame in 2015 and the INAS Hall of Fame in 2016.

Following the ban in 2000 and no pathway to the Paralympics, Lisa retired from Athletics as she felt that there was nothing left for her to achieve in sport.  Lisa took up Ballet and works at the Canberra Zoo where she keeps a close eye on the resident Cheetahs.

The former INAS World record for the Long jump and high jump events, Lisa remains the INAS World Record holder for the 200m, 15 years after her retirement.

 

Siobhan Paton OAM (Athlete)
No one has dominated the swimming pool like Siobhan Paton.  In 1997 she competed at the INAS-FID Games winning seven Gold and one silver medal.  At the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Siobhan won six gold medals and set world records on nine occasions in the process.

At the 2004 INAS Swimming World Championships Siobhan won 14 Gold and three silver medals an amazing feat.  Later that year competing at the 1^st INAS Global Games Siobhan won another 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze medals.

In recognition of her achievements, the Australian Paralympic Committee named her “Paralympian of the Year” in 2000, and she was honoured on a postage stamp. She was also awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia, an Australian Sports Medal and inducted into the ACT Sport Hall of Fame in 2013.

 

Kim Larkin OAM (Athlete)
Kim Larkin first started playing Basketball at the age of 8, at 17 she was representing Australia, and 4 years later she was appointed captain.  It didn’t worry Kim that she was often the shortest player on the court, as the point guard she was in command and was reknown for having one of the sweetest three point shots.  Kim didn’t just lead the team on the court but off as well with her commitment to fitness and training.  That commitment to fitness saw Kim also represent Australia at the 2005 INAS Athletics World Championships in Canberra.

Kim wore the green and gold on the Basketball court for 16 years during which time the team never finished outside the medals at an INAS World Championship or Global Games event winning 5 Silver and 4 Bronze medals.

‘Kim is the person that you want to get the ball to when it comes to the crunch’ according to Sally Duncan, Australian Pearls Team Manager.

In 2004 she was named in the Point guard in the World All Star team.

Kim has also been acknowledged for her services to sport with a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Playing with her home state of Victoria at the Ivor Burge Basketball Championships Kim won 11 Gold and 3 Silver Medals, and in 2010 Kim was acknowledged by Basketball Victoria as their “Most outstanding athlete with a disability Award”. 

Sport Inclusion Australia has been blessed to have had such magnificent leaders and role models helping shape the organisation and sport in Australia helping to create opportunities for all athletes.

As we move forward women continue to have a major role within the movement, women such as our CEO of 28 years Robyn Smith, a passionate advocate for inclusion and opportunities for all. Mentored by Marie over many years Robyn continues to lead with passion and energy and while Marie has now gone, Robyn doesn’t need to look far for strong, capable and passionate women.  Women such as  Helen Croxford (President),  Soon to  be Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Lorraine Landon (Board Member), Jo Connolly SASRAPID and Cricket Australia Team Manager, Cathy Wilson Life Stream Australia CEO, Basketball team Manager and outstanding volunteer Sally Duncan and athletes of the calibre of Kelly Wren (8 times INAS World Champion and winner of the past 22 Singles titles  at the Australian Tennis Championships, Jade Lucy winner of 9 medals (4 Gold, 4 Silver and 1 Bronze) at the recent INAS Swimming World Championships and Nicole Harris who has represented Australian in Basketball, Athletics and Skiing where she has won several INAS World titles.  These are just a few of the outstanding women leaving their mark shaping sport and inclusion in Australia.

Todays young athletes and administrators do not have to look far for role models on and off the sporting field.

She has been described as Basketball Royalty, and on the 10^th of May our very own Lorraine Landon will be inducted into the Basketball Australia Hall of Fame.

Lorraine’s basketball career spans 30 years as a player, coach and administrator at the highest level and includes Olympics, World Championships, and Paralympics.  There is rarely enough hours in the day for the Sydney Kings Manager, who despite her busy work schedule always finds time to assist others and is always available with advice when called upon.

Passionate about her sport of Basketball Lorraine is driven to reach out to people of all abilities and to make a difference

With someone of the calibre of Lorraine Landon on the Board of Sport Inclusion Australia and the Global Games Sports Company we are in good hands.

Congratulations Lorraine Landon, you have made a difference to the lives of so many at all levels, it is wonderful to see you acknowledged for your contribution.

For more information see Basketball Australia Media Release: https://australia.basketball/hall-of-fame-inductees-announced-for-2019-basketball-australia-awards-night/

Sport Inclusion Australia has announced Ms Helen Croxford as their third President following the recent election.  “It’s an honour and privilege to work with the members on the Sport Inclusion Australia Board over the past 3 years, I would like to thank Wayne Bird for his outstanding leadership and thank the Board for putting their faith in me as President.” Croxford said.

The first meeting following the Annual General Meeting in November 2018, the Board elect their President and Finance Director from within the existing Board Directors.  Sitting President Wayne Bird had announced that he would not be standing for re-election after 7 years in the position and nominated Croxford to take over the reigns of the organisation.

Bird was the second President of the organisation following the retirement of founder Marie T Little OAM in 2011.  During his time as President Bird has seen many changes within the organisation, least of which was a change of name from AUSRAPID to Sport Inclusion Australia.  “People often asked what AUSRAPID stood for, we worked hard to come up with a name which better represented who we were and what we did.” Bird said.

Bird also spent time on the International Organisation INAS as the Oceania delegate for 5 years.

With increased work commitments, Bird decided it was time for someone else to take on the role and was very pleased to have a candidate of the quality of Croxford within the existing Board.

Croxford has been a member of the Sport Inclusion Australia board for the past 3 years and also sits on the Global Games Sports Company Board.   With over 25 years experience in senior management roles with local government in the leisure, facilities planning, aged care, youth and children and disability services, Croxford is well experienced for the role.

The 1997 winner of the Frank Stewart Distinguished Service Award, Croxford also volunteers at Cabrini Hospital and Beyond Blue.  With her wealth of experience working in local government, and the disability sector it is safe to say that  Sport Inclusion Australia is in good hands.

Rob Peak was re-elected as the Finance Director, with Ms Jaquie Scammell appointed to the vacant Board position, following the retirement of Allan Clarke.

Scammell comes from a Customer service background where she had previously crossed paths with Sport Inclusion Australia during her time as Customer Relations Manager at Tennis Australia and the Australian Tennis Championships.

Scammell now runs her own business where she is focussed on helping organisations develop a service mindset and culture.

Croxford takes over at a busy time for Sport Inclusion Australia with the 2019 INAS Global Games in Brisbane just over 8 months away.  “While the Games are being run by the Global Games Sports Company, Sport Inclusion Australia is very closely engaged and focussed on using this event to maximise exposure for athletes with an intellectual impairment within the Australian community and Government Agencies, as well as coordinating the largest team Australia has sent to the Games.” Croxford said

CONTACT

Helen Croxford (President Sport Inclusion Australia) 0419 327 837

Robyn Smith (CEO Sport Inclusion Australia and Global Games Sports Company) 0418 979 459