There comes a moment in an athletes life where hard work and dedication pays off and we're used to seeing it in places like on the track, court, on the field or in the pool.
However on Thursday night at the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards (DSR) in the plush boardroom on the 19th floor of the PWC building, a different kind of celebration took place.
A room full of gold medal winning Paralympians and world champions is enough to make any sport enthusiast weak in the knees and last week was no exception with people gathering to praise the accomplishments of people with disabilities and those who support them.
Coaches and athletes aside, the DSR awards also celebrate the volunteers, teams and officials of the Victorian sporting landscape.
Richard Amon, CEO at Disability Sport and Recreation says "These awards not only celebrate the achievements of the athletes but showcase the sportsmanship, professionalism and community spirit that exists in the disability sport and recreation sector".
16-year-old Isis Holt, still on high for taking out the gold medal and defending her 200m title at the World Para-Athletics Championships in London last month won the Deakin University Female Sportsperson of the Year award.
World champion and Paralympian alpine skier Mitchell Gourley took out Male Sportsman of the Year.
Congratulations to all finalists and winners, the team at Vicsport are so proud of you!
Full list of winners are below.
Marg Angel Junior Sportsperson of the Year
Jaryd Clifford – athletics – 2017 Para Athletics bronze medallist
Masters Sportsperson of the Year
Carol Cooke – cycling – Paralympic and Para Cycling World Championship gold medallist
Team of the Year
Victorian Vikings – cricket – athletes with intellectual disability, winners of the inaugural National Cricket Inclusion Championships
Coach of the Year
Alexia Keats – swimming – head coach at Maccabi Swimming Club All Abilities program
Official of the Year
Liam Costello – wheelchair rugby – local, national and international referee
Volunteer of the Year
Alana Baldi – Special Olympics and cricket
Lifetime Achievement Award
Maurice Gleeson – blind sports – President, Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria
Initiative of the Year
All Abilities Sport Ballarat – sporting programs for children with a disability
Inclusive Sport, Recreation or Open Space Infrastructure Award
Livvi’s Place, Craigieburn ANZAC Park – City of Hume / Touched by Olivia Foundation – an inclusive playspace where children with a disability can be socially included and access all play activities in the same way as their peers.
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