South Australia’s Andriana Petrakis and Queensland’s Luke Barker are set to make their debut for Australia at the Virtus European Tennis Championships in Poland next week.

Petrakis came on to the National scene in 2018 and was quick to impress selectors with her selection in the Australian team for the 2019 Virtus Global Games in Brisbane.  Unfortunately for Petrakis she had to withdraw due to ill health. A lack of international competitions since 2019 has deferred her debut for another 3 years.   Petrakis is coached by Craig Palfrey and is part of the Tennis SA National Development squad under Sandon Stolle.

Barker played his first National Championships in Melbourne in 2020 as a 14 year old, he too was quick to impress selectors being selected in National Junior Development Squads under Glen Hamilton and Alison Scott.   Barker had his best performance in 2021 winning the South Australian PWII Championships and in 2022 he reached the semi-finals of the Australian Tennis Championships.  Earlier this month Barker finished third in the Queensland Tennis Championships behind team members Archie Graham (Qld) and Mitchell James (Qld).

Australia will send a team of 8 players to the Championships which will be their first opportunity to compete since the Virtus Global Games in Brisbane in 2019.

Petrakis will join Kelly Wren (NSW) and Breanna Tunny (Qld) in the women’s II-1 singles with Barker  teaming with Archie Graham (QLD), Mitchell James (QLD), Tim Gould (QLD) and Damian Phillips (NSW) will join Barker in the men’s competition.

Tennis Australia announced the team at the recent Tennis ACT PWII Championships in Canberra where the players obtained some valuable match practice on clay to prepare for the Polish clay courts.

Australia has been the dominant country in tennis for many years with Kelly Wren and Archie Graham both former World Champions and World number 1 ranked players.  Both Wren and Graham are in outstanding form at the moment and looking forward to the Games and an opportunity to regain their Number 1 rankings.

All players have been fortunate to have strong regular competition here in Australia, after almost 3 years with no International competition coaches are keen to see how the team competes against their international rivals.  “We have been able to keep an eye on our team and how they are playing so we can’t wait to see how that equates on the international stage after a long absence, and in particular looking forward to seeing the younger players Petrakis and Barker establish themselves on the international stage.” Said National Coach Alison Scott

Victoria’s Carla Lenarduzzi was also selected in the team but unfortunately for Lenarduzzi she has had to withdraw due to Covid-19 infection.

“It is wonderful to see the improvement in the younger players Tunny and Petrakis who are taking on and challenging Wren and Lenarduzzi who have been dominant players in Australian tennis for many years.” Said Scott.

Graham is arguably in the best form of his life fresh from the QLD and ACT Championships and two Tier 2 tournament wins in Toowoomba and Beenleigh.  Great Britain’s Dominic Ianotti defeated Graham in Brisbane in 2019 and has taken the title as World number 1, a title Graham is keen to regain.  “It’s been three years since I have had a chance to play internationally, I am feeling really good right now so I can’t wait to play in Poland.” Graham said.

In addition to the singles competition players will also contest doubles and mixed doubles.

The 2022 Virtus European Championships will be held in Krakow Poland from 16-24 July.  Australia will host the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane from 5-11 November.

 

Australian Team

 

Men                                                         Women

II-1 Singles                                            II-1 Singles

Archie Graham (Qld)                         Kelly Wren (NSW)

Mitchell James (Qld)                         Breanna Tunny (QLD)

Luke Barker (Qld) debut                   Andriana Petrakis (SA) Debut

Damian Phillips (NSW)                     Carla Lenarduzzi (VIC) Withdrawn due to Covid

II-2 Singles
Tim Gould (Qld)

Head Coach       Alison Scott (QLD)
Manager            Jay Schuback (VIC)
Asst Coach        Steve Manley (NSW)

 

Contact:          

• Tennis Australia: Harriet Rendle (0432 001 249) hrendle@tennis.com.au
• Sport Inclusion Australia: Michael Thomson (0414 733 339) michael.thomson@siasport.org
• Championship website: https://vesg.eu/

 

With her eyes fixed on representing Australia at the 2019 Virtus Global Games in Brisbane NSW’s Bronte Marshall knew she had to make a choice –  does she continue with swimming or does she focus on Rowing?

It wasn’t an easy decision for the young athlete who took up swimming competitively at 12 years of age and had recently represented Australia at the Virtus Swimming World Championships in Mexico winning a Gold, Silver and Bronze medal.

“I wanted to represent Australia again and after looking at all of the swimmers in my events and the opportunities to represent Australia in either Swimming or Rowing I knew I had a tough decision to make.” Marshall said.

Through her school years Marshall had trained and competed in swimming and rowing, with swimming having been the focus in recent years.  Marshall was however a strong rower competing in school regattas with Pymble Ladies College.  Both sports involve early morning starts and water, one in it and the other hopefully on top of it.  But it wasn’t the early starts or the cold water that concerned Marshall she just wanted to represent Australia again.

Thankfully for Rowing Australia Marshall chose Rowing and went on to represent Australia at the Virtus Global Games winning 4 Gold and one Silver medal in the on water and indoor rowing events.

Marshall who rows for the Balmain Rowing Club and is coached by Barbara Ramjan competed at her first National Rowing Regatta in 2019 collecting a Silver and Bronze medal.  Covid saw the 2020 Championships cancelled and in 2021 she collected 3 silver and a bronze medal.

With events being restricted due to covid, Marshall focussed on her indoor rowing,  setting a Concept 2 Indoor Rowing World Record for the PR3 ID 2000m in 2021.  Earlier this year Marshall took part in the 2022 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships.  The Championships were held live around the world.  For Marshall this meant racing in the evening,  not an ideal time for peak performance.

“It was weird as I felt I should be heading to bed for the night but instead I am taking part in a virtual World Championships” Marshall said.

Marshall couldn’t see her competitors but with the wonders of technology was able to watch each competitors progress on the racing graph.  Marshall was successful in her first Indoor World Championship winning the 500m and 2000m events and taking 2 seconds off her own Concept 2 19-29 World record for the 2000m race.

Marshall has had to switch back to on water racing with the 2022 Australian Rowing Championships to be held at Lake Nagambie next week.  The Championships were due to be held at the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic venue in Penrith, but as a result of flood damage to the venue the Championships have been moved to Victoria.

Marshall’s decision has paid big dividends for the young rower from Drummoyne who has gone on to medal on multiple occasions at Virtus Global Games, National Rowing Championships and more recently the 2022 World Rowing Virtual indoor Championships.  She has a bright future ahead of her and in the next 2 years has her eyes set on the 2022 Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane, and in 2023 The World Rowing Indoor Championships in Canada along with the Virtus Global Games in France.

For now the focus is representing Balmain Rowing Club at the Australian Rowing Championships at Lake Nagambie in Victoria from 28 March to 3 April.

For more information on the Australian Rowing Championships visit : Home – Australian Rowing Championships (rowingaustralia.com.au)

 

Contact
Sport Inclusion Australia 0414 733 339 or sport@siasport.org

 

 

 

International Day of People with Disabilities 2021 is a fitting day to announce the inaugural Virtus Para Sailing World Championship to be held as part of the Official OAGames 2022 Sports Program, delivered by Sport Inclusion Australia in Queensland in November 2022.

The Championship is sanctioned by World Sailing and supported by Virtus World governing organisations  who formed a partnership in 2019 and made a commitment to work together to grow a sustainable future for sailors with intellectual impairments.

For the first time, athletes with intellectual impairment can compete in a sanctioned World Championship in the Hansa 303 Class. This is a World event and hopes to attract sailors from every continent. At a media launch on 3 December 2021, at the venue of next year’s World Championship, the Gold Coast waterways glisten under blue skies, and was a beautiful vision to see sailors on the Hansa 303 boats, cruising the waters with the help of a cool breeze.

A World Championship deserves a World Class athlete and sailor at the helm. The announcement was made by none other than Australia’s most decorate sailor, Matthew ‘Mat’ Belcher OAM, three-time Olympic Medallist and the 2021 Australian Male Sailor of the Year as awarded by Australian Sailing.

Mat Belcher has taken on the role of Para World Sailing Ambassador and, as he made the announcement today, shared why this role is not only about giving back to community and to sailing, but he also has a personal connection. Mat has a young daughter with Down Syndrome and understand firsthand the challenges people with disabilities may face. Mat, as the Ambassador, hope to raise the awareness for sailing across all abilities, and leverage on his Olympic success to foster a growth in para sailing and for athletes with intellectual impairment.

It was a successful day that forged the partnerships between Sport Inclusion Australia, Virtus, World Sailing, Para World Sailing, Southport Yacht Club and Sailability Gold Coast. The Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 is setting the pace for another successful Games delivered by Sport Inclusion Australia.

Ms Robyn Smith, CEO of SIA and the Oceania Asia Games Organising Committee would like to acknowledge all the stakeholders on board and look forward to making the Championship and the OAGames 2022 a successful blueprint toward Sport for Humanity.

“When all levels of the Australian Government signalled their support for Sport Inclusion Australia, to host the Virtus OAGames in Brisbane, it allowed planning on what sports could be included,” Ms Smith said

“When approached by World Sailing to conduct the Para Sailing World Championship as part of the OAGames Sports Program, we were delighted as it further drives our mission – inclusion for all.”

“When Champion athletes generously give their time and energy to promote and elevate the inclusion of para-athletes on the world stage, it encourages people to become involved.”

Key stakeholders from around the world also gave praise for this event and showed their support.

Quotes from partners

Matthew Belcher, OAM, Para World Sailing Ambassador
“It is a real honour to be the World Sailing Ambassador. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to sail and do something I love every day, and as Ambassador, I want to champion how sailing can be for people of all abilities. I am blessed to be part of the Southport Yacht Club sailing community, and to announce the first official World Championship conducted for Athletes with intellectual impairment, in my hometown and local club, is just priceless.”

World Sailing President, Mr. Quanhai Li
“I am pleased to announce that Southport Yacht Club on Queensland’s Gold Coast in Australia will host the Inaugural Para Sailing World Championship for Athletes with Intellectual Impairment in November 2022. On behalf of World Sailing, I would like to extend an invitation to sailors with intellectual impairment from around the world to compete in these inaugural Championships. The inaugural Championships will be held as part of the Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022, enhancing the opportunity for our sailors to be part of a major multi-sport event. I would like to thank Virtus and the Oceania Asia Games organisers for including sailing as part of the overall Games program.”

Virtus President, Mr Marc Truffaut
“Welcoming World Sailing to the Virtus family, signals a message of collaboration to grow and create new sport opportunities for elite athletes. We are committed to growing sailing for athletes with intellectual impairments and know that together, we can offer more high-level competition opportunities and make a huge impact around the world.”

Southport Yacht Club, Commodore Ken Tregeagle
“Southport Yacht Club has had a long and proud history of sailing on the Gold Coast since 1946. Hosting this internationally recognised world championship is a great honour for Southport and to also have our Olympic Champion Mat Belcher, as an Ambassador is a proud achievement for Mat, and equally a proud moment, to see one of our local sailors excel so greatly in world sailing. We are also very proud in having partnered with Sailability since 1997 and together we provide such a wonderful service to our community. Our Gold Coast waterways are amongst the best water ways in the world and these World Championships will certainly showcase them to the entire world.”

 

Contact

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

Sport Inclusion Australia acknowledges International Day of People with a Disability and acknowledges the theme for 2021 which is ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world’.

With more than 4.4 million Australians living with a disability, today is an opportunity to focus on the work of those who strive to make a more inclusive, understanding and supportive society.

Sport plays an integral role in developing a more inclusive society, it can provide the platform to showcase ability and develop understanding.  As we move into a post-covid-19 world, sport can once again take leadership in this area helping athletes reconnect to their community and all the health benefits that come with it.  For many people living with a disability fear of Covid-19 has seen a decline in their physical and mental health as they isolate to stay safe and watch sporting event after sporting event be cancelled.  As vaccination rates increase and restrictions are removed we can now start to focus on getting back into sport and planning for events and re-engaging with the community.

Sport Inclusion Australia looks forward to watching the athletes back in action and applauds the sports that have worked hard throughout Covid to provide competition and support.  It is exciting to see events on the horizon and watching the athletes start to take centre stage again.

One athlete who has wasted no time getting back into action is South Australia’s Hugo Taheny.

In 2019 Hugo represented Australia at the 2019 Virtus Global Games in the new II-2 class winning a Gold medal in the Discus and Silver in the shot put.  In 2020 Athletics Australia also introduced the new class which provided a fairer competition for athletes with Down syndrome.  At the National Championships in April this year Hugo won his first National title the Open Men’s Ambulant Discus and a Silver the ambulant Shot put.

Like most athletes Hugo’s journey has been disrupted by Covid-19 with lockdowns, restrictions and earlier this year Hugo had an adverse reactions to his vaccinations resulting in trips to hospital.  Thankfully for Hugo he has recovered and his desire to get back into competition has helped him to focus away from Covid-19 and given him something to look forward to.  Hugo’s success in Athletics has been rapid and a result of hard work, good coaching (Thank you Steve Larsson) and great family and community support.

Hugo lives in regional South Australia, competition days start with a 4+ hour drive to Adelaide and finish with another 4+ hour drive home.  On the 6^th of November 2021 that drive home was a lot more enjoyable than most.  Hugo started the day as Australia’s leading F21 Shot putter and Discus thrower, but by the end of the day Hugo had become the World’s best F21 Discus thrower having thrown the discus 31.33m.  Three weeks later he added the Australian and Oceania records for Shot put to his growing list of achievements.

Away from the track Hugo is a Down Syndrome Australia Health Ambassador.  As a Health Ambassador Hugo’s role is to increase public awareness and understanding of people with Down syndrome.

On a day that aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions its hard to go past Hugo Taheny.  Hugo’s epitomises the theme for 2021 ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world’.  

Congratulations Hugo and thank you to all who work to support athletes like Hugo across all sports and communities.

“Happy International Day of People with a Disability.”

Contacts

• Robyn Smith, CEO Sport Inclusion Australia. 0418 979 459
• Hugo Taheny, via Sport Inclusion Australia, sport@siasport.org or  0414 733 339

The inaugural Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 in Brisbane is just one year away and has received welcomed support from all levels of Australian government.

OAGames 2022 is the inaugural event in the Virtus Asia and Oceania region for athletes with intellectual impairment. The Games will invite 1000 plus athletes and officials from NZ, Asia, and Pacific to compete against Australia’s elite athletes.

Federal Minister for Sport, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck said Australia has an enviable reputation for its ability to hold world class international sporting events.

“It is time to get back into the pools, the field, the track and the arena and celebrate all that is inspiring about being a top athlete for your country,” Senator Colbeck said.

“The Australian Government has a deep commitment to ensure sport is accessible for people of all abilities and is pleased to support the hosting of the Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022”.

The OAGames2022 will be in Brisbane, in a multi-sport event format from 5 to 12 November 2022.

Virtus Vice President, Robyn Smith; CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia (SIA), said that as an organisation with 35 years of inclusive sport experience, she is looking to reignite the successes from Global Games 2019 in Brisbane, with the experienced team to lead the delivery of this event in 2022.

“It is a follow-on legacy from Global Games 2019 and the Virtus Oceania Asia Games, #OAGames2022, will be a celebration of sport and cultural diversity,” Ms Smith said.

“There is much excitement about seeing athletes come back again, to represent their countries and compete for medals and achieve personal best performances.”

Premier and Minister for the Olympics Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government is proud to support the Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022.

“These Games are an opportunity to celebrate diversity and inclusion, which are valuable threads running through the fabric of Queensland’s communities,” said the Premier.

“Sport Inclusion Australia’s (SIA) hosting of the event sends a strong message that sport is for everyone.”

“Under the banner of ‘Leave No One Behind’, athletes with an intellectual disability train to a high level, hone their skills and compete with the same passion as any professional athlete.”

“Athletics, swimming and table tennis will be Paralympic pathway events – for athletes with the potential to win medals at Paralympic competitions.”

“Events will be staged at a range of venues across Brisbane including the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Nissan Arena and Anna Meares Velodrome.”

“This is another opportunity for Queensland to host a major multi-sport event prior to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Whilst the final sport program is being finalised these following sports will form part of the program: Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Rowing, Swimming, Table Tennis and Tennis.

Additional Sports will be considered as a result of consultation with Virtus Nation Members and interested Pacific Nations in the coming months and next month another key announcement is planned for the incorporation of World Para-Sailing Championships as part of the OAGames 2022 Sport Program.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane was the ideal city to play host to the Virtus Oceania Asia Games, with an excellent year-round climate as well as friendly and inclusive residents.

“Brisbane already has a reputation for being an amazing place to visit and host major events because of our great hotels, cafes and restaurants and experiences along with world-class facilities” Cr Schrinner said.

“I look forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, officials, families and friends, as we celebrate the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane in November next year.

“We look forward to working in partnership with Sport Inclusion Australia, Virtus and the International Paralympic Committee to bring other events for athletes with impairment to Brisbane over the next decade as we continue our journey towards the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 invites governments, sporting organisation and corporate partners who believe in this vision to be part of this movement. A movement of Sport for Humanity and a great way start the journey to 2032.

Key statistics:

• 2-3% of the world population live with an intellectual impairment.
• 178-256 MILLION is the estimated number of people with an intellectual impairment in the world.
  *Source: WHO Report on Disability 2011
• It is the largest impairment group. For most it is a non-visible impairment.
• Sport provides connection to community and provides meaning and purpose. Active engagement in Sport has a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the individual and supports our commitment to advancing many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

 

For more information visit oagames2022.org and follow @virtus.sport | @SportIncAus to stay updated on #OAGames2022

The Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) has welcomed the historic announcement overnight by the International Olympic Committee that Brisbane, South East Queensland has been awarded the hosting rights of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

ASAPD Chair Robyn Smith said “Many of us were there to witness the powerful impact of the landmark Sydney 2000 Paralympics and the legacy opportunities for people with a disability in sport which continue to this day.

“The event captured the attention and admiration of the Australian public and inspired a generation of people to get involved with sport for people with a disability and helped to change perceptions about what people with disability, impairment or limitation can achieve. It also set new standards in areas such as ticketing, sponsorship, media and transport.

“An 11-year runway into the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games provides a great opportunity to showcase sport for people with a disability and help set new standards for inclusion, accessibility and equality,” she said.

The Alliance congratulates all of the parties involved who have worked so hard to put forward such a strong, and ultimately successful, bid to the IOC. We look forward to working with Paralympics Australia, Australian Olympic Committee, Federal Government, Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council and the other local governments in South East Queensland, in helping to achieve positive outcomes for people with a disability in the lead-up to the Games and in the post-Games legacy activities.

ASAPD Deputy Chair Phil Harper said “We believe participation in sport provides positive social and physical benefits to people with a disability, and plays an important role in changing community perceptions, stereotypes and biases around disability.

“The Paralympics and other major disability sporting events can leave a tremendous sporting legacy. But what makes them unique is these events can have positive social and participatory outcomes directly for those with a disability, as well as on broader community perceptions. We look forward to working with the Games partners to make this legacy effective and lasting.”

Since 2019, the nine members of the ASAPD have been collectively creating opportunities in sport and physical activity for people with a disability. This announcement will provide excitement and impetus for our organisations and members to continue our work to create greater awareness among people with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity; and influence governments and Australian sporting organisations to better provide for access and participation in their sport so they are welcoming and inclusive environments for all.

NOTE: The ASAPD represents nine national disability sport organisation’s (NSOD’s) as the key peak agency for sport and physical activity for people with a disability. The NSOD’s involved represent lead organisations whose participant numbers, members and volunteers involve millions of people across Australia and include: Blind Sports Australia, Deaf Sports Australia, Disability Sports Australia, Disabled Wintersports Australia, Paralympics Australia, Riding for the Disabled Association Australia, Special Olympics Australia, Sport Inclusion Australia & Transplant Australia.

 

Contact:

ASAPD Chair
Robyn Smith
robyn.smith@siasport.org
+61 (0) 418 979 459

Sport Inclusion Australia (SIA) is proud to launch the “Leave No One Behind” project – a bilateral program  funded by the Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) and the Australian Government.

Leave No One Behind (Dare mo okizari ni shinai), is a one-year project in collaboration with All Nippon Intellectual Disability Sports Association (ANISA).  The collaboration will see SIA and ANISA co-design a program to ensure that  targeted participants with an intellectual impairment have access to sport opportunities in Japan, Australia and Internationally.

SIA and ANISA have a strong relationship and a common focus of enabling sport as a pathway for athletes with intellectual impairment. SIA will leverage its years of experience and extensive knowledge in inclusive sport, to develop resources to assist people in Japan,  specifically people who are currently marginalised and not able to access sporting opportunities.

Some of the work already underway, includes educational resources to help build the capacity of administrators, teachers, coaches, and psychologists, to assist people with an intellectual impairment  access and participate in sport.

Ms Robyn Smith, CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia said, with the support of the Australia-Japan Foundation, Japanese and Australian governments and ANISA, the work SIA has been delivering for 35 years, can transcend to Asia and Oceania based nations fostering a stronger and more unified community of organisations advocating for inclusive sport.

“We’ve never wavered from our philosophy of promoting sporting opportunities for people with an impairment in mainstream settings, with sport owning and delivering sport for all Australians at the appropriate ability level with a ‘person first’ approach”, Ms Smith said.
“We are proud of our Australian legacy in inclusive sport, and I am especially excited to share our expertise with Japan and maybe in the future more Asia Oceania neighbours.”

“Government support is critical to the success of projects like Leave No One Behind that benefits sport and people with intellectual impairment to enhance economic, social and health benefits for Australia and Japan.”

The Leave No One Behind project, whilst having a foundation in sport, has at its core, the importance of inclusion and access to sporting pathways as a human right for all global citizens because it is aimed equally at men and women with an intellectual impairment, so it is totally inclusive and diverse by design.

Mr Toshiyuki Saito from ANISA said the benefits of this project which dedicates a focus on sport and ability will help to build awareness of how sport can change the life of a person with an intellectual impairment.

“Sport plays a critical role in ensuring health and wellbeing, making individuals feel valued and have a meaningful place in the community.” Mr Saito said.

In November 2022, SIA are hosting the inaugural Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane.  It is hoped the collaboration on this project, and the relationship grown between Australia and Japan will strengthen competition between the two countries as well as building understanding.

For more information contact
Robyn Smith, CEO, Sport Inclusion Australia
robyn.smith@siasport.org
0418 979 459

About Sport Inclusion Australia (SIA)
Sport Inclusion Australia, formerly AUSRAPID, is a national sporting organisation established in 1986 to assist the inclusion of people with an intellectual impairment into the mainstream community using sport as the medium. Sport Inclusion Australia has worked within the Australian sporting sector with outstanding success and is proud of the increasing numbers of sporting organisations and clubs taking responsibility for inclusion with the focus on ability and based on social inclusion principles. https://sportinclusionaustralia.org.au

About All Nippon Intellectual Disability Sport Association (ANISA)
ANiSA aims to communicate and coordinate with sports organizations and related organizations for children and persons with intellectual disabilities in Japan, and to promote and promote exercise and sports for children and persons with intellectual disabilities.
ANiSA creates an environment for improving competitiveness, collecting and disseminating various information related to domestic and overseas athletic sports, training leaders, holding seminars and workshops, athletes and officers at international competitions. ANiSA was established for the purpose of promoting and developing appropriate programs and research for people with severe or multiple disabilities. https://anisa.or.jp

Creating broader opportunities for swimmers with Down syndrome in Australia is set to grow under the guidance of Sport Inclusion Australia, who for 35 years have committed to sport inclusion for all.

Down Syndrome Swimming Australia (DSSA) announced to members the organisation’s transition to Sports Inclusion Australia (SIA), and it comes at a time when many of Australia’s National and State Sport Organisations are opening up to collaborate to ensure sport is delivered in an inclusive environment.

This is a result of the recent establishment of the new Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD), which is supported and funded by Sport Australia. The Alliance members are driven by a shared purpose to collaborate, advocate and facilitate inclusive sport and physical activity for people with a disability.

To ensure the success of the DSSA transition to Sport Inclusion Australia, a committee is formed with representatives of the previous DSSA board, Swimming Australia, Down Syndrome Australia and SIA staff.  A key objective of the committee is to build inclusive initiatives with the aim to have more people with Down syndrome participating in sport.

“We are excited to see the development of these partnerships within sport working towards building a more inclusive society and importantly the participation of people with Down syndrome.  Down Syndrome Australia is pleased to play its part in promoting these opportunities and inclusive messages through our networks.” Angus Graham Chair Down Syndrome Australia.

In 2017, SIA’s international partner Virtus, the International Sport Federation for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment, introduced two new groups for athletes with Autism (II-3) and for athletes with additional physical conditions (II-2) The II-2 group has a focus on athletes with Down syndrome.   The introduction of this pathway in Virtus provides an additional international pathway for swimmers with Down syndrome.  A highlight of this initial work was the participation and success of swimmers with Down syndrome at the 2019 Global Games in Brisbane.

DSSA was formed in 2007 to promote the participation of people with Down syndrome in swimming providing a pathway to National and International competition.  Working collaboratively with SIA since its inception DSSA has facilitated the growth of Australian swimmers with Down syndrome on to the international stage where they have been recognised as the Champion Male and Female athletes and Champion team at World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships since 2004.

DSSA conducted its first National Championship in 2011 and this event continues to be conducted every 2 years with increased participation.

“DSSA’s achievements in such a short period of time have been amazing, our swimmers established themselves as the world’s best on numerous occasions. In 2019 they were an integral part of the success of the Australian team competing at the 2019 Virtus Global Games in Brisbane.  We look forward to building on these achievements and working with our partners, Swimming Australia, Down Syndrome Queensland, Down Syndrome Australia and School Sport to build the capacity and participation of swimmers with Down syndrome across all levels,” said Robyn Smith, CEO Sport inclusion Australia.

Sport Inclusion Australia has a vision that ‘sport owns sport for all Australians’ and that the local club being the foundation for sport to build social inclusion and connectiveness in the community.

This week the committee have announced a series of swim clinics to be held in Queensland through July August and September.

 

Contacts

Robyn Smith: robyn.smith@siasport.org
CEO Sport Inclusion Australia

DSSA swimming clinics: dssa.org@gmail.com

The Commonwealth Games Federation this week announced the full list of medal events for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Included in that list are three events for athletes with an intellectual disability, the S14 200m freestyle for men and women and a mixed relay.

The previous Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018 were lauded as the most gender equal multi-sports event in history. An amazing goal which Games organisers did achieve. It was also an amazing inclusive event with a large number of  events for athletes with a disability.

Unfortunately for female swimmers with an intellectual disability, the Games did not feel equal or inclusive with the sole event for athletes with an intellectual disability being for men only.

This inequality wasn’t lost on Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin DBE either.

Sport Inclusion Australia CEO, Robyn Smith was fortunate to meet Martin on two occasions, once at a forum during the Games and then again at Sport Acord Summit held on the Gold Coast in May 2019. Martin was aware of the inequality, stating she personally awarded the medal to the Men’s 200m S14 Freestyle event at the Games and questioned where the women were and gave an assurance that this would be rectified.

“I was fortunate to meet with Louise at a forum on the Gold Coast during the Games where I raised the issue and then again at Sport Accord Summit 18 months later, we discussed a range of topics and I applauded Louise and the Commonwealth Games Federation for the amazing work to make this Games gender equal and the wonderful inclusion of events for athletes with a disability.  I was able to point out to Louise that even though there was an overall gender balance, that sadly this was not the case for athletes with an intellectual disability.  To my surprise Louise was aware of the inequality and gave me her word that this would be rectified at the next Games.” Smith said

Martin was true to her word as this week’s announcement of events for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games includes event for male and female S14 swimmers.

Smith who is also Vice President of the International organisation Virtus is keen to see developments across all sports and competitions,  “we would like to see events added in Athletics and Table Tennis in the future along with the other events for athletes with an intellectual disability, but this inclusion is a positive move by the Commonwealth Games Federation “ Smith said.

The Games will be held in Birmingham England from 28 July to 8 August 2022, 4 months prior to the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane in November.

 

Contact: Robyn Smith (CEO Sport Inclusion Australia) 0418 979 459.  Robyn.smith@siasport.org