Who We Are
Who We Are
I acknowledge and pay respect to the land and the traditional families of the Yugambeh region of South East Queensland, including the Kombumerri, Mununjali, Wangerriburra and others, and their Elders past present and emerging.
Sport Access Foundation aims to improve the quality of lives of children living with a disability through the opportunity to play sport.
SAF’s objectives are consistent with the Australian Government’s Sport 2030 National Sport Plan commitment, that ‘Every Australian, at all stages of their life regardless of gender, ability or ethnicity, and no matter where they live, are able to undertake the exercise they need and want in a safe, fun and inclusive way, whether it is through sport or other types of activity’.1
SAF’s work also supports Sport Australia’s position on physical literacy, namely ‘developing knowledge and behaviours that give children the motivation and confidence to enjoy active lifestyles. Establishing active habits in children sets them on the path to happier and healthier lives paving the way for a more productive Australia’.2
For the first time since 2018 we have secured the opportunity to hold an event to announce our 2023 Grant Recipients. This event will be held on Friday 17 November at the Griffith University Gold Coast Campus. Over 50 industry stakeholders and sporting executives as well as current and past grant recipients (Honour Roll Members) attending. Michael Dobbie-Bridges PLY is the event host. We will also have Col Pearse, dual Paralympian and Commonwealth Games Australian Dolphin Team Member attend to share his insights of being awarded the inaugural Sport Access Foundation grant in 2017.
We are often approached by young Australians around the country who hear about us and find us online. These young advocates are passionate and their enthusiasm for our cause validates the importance of our work and the link we have with many who want to help us achieve Our Mission.
Ozzie For Kids Founder Scott Richmond and Dylan Bray had chosen Sport Access Foundation (SAF) as one of two charities (along with Fair Game Australia) to donate the funds raised from Scott Richmond’s incredible World Record attempt.
Scott dribbled a soccer ball for 42km a day, over 7 days, from Canberra to Sydney, covered 337km, arriving in Sydney for the Matildas opening World Cup match against Ireland on 23 July.
The outcome of this, was $7,388.12 for SAF. It didn’t stop there.
Waratah Education Foundation, CEO Geraldine Campbell, would learn about SAF during this World Record feat and invited SAF to submit an application for funding to support our SAF annual grants program which helps young children with disability improve their education outcomes through sport.
The Board of the Waratah Education Foundation agreed to fund Sport Access Foundation $25,000 towards our 2024 grants program. Scott Richmond. This is all you. Thank you.
On behalf of the Sport Access Foundation Board and all the community we serve, thank you to the Waratah Education Foundation for the provision of this grant to be distributed in 2024.
BlueScope our founding partner provides significant resources for the foundation to develop and cement its position as a leading children’s sporting charity in Australian sport.
We are now working through our 2022-2025 strategic plan and there are a number of significant developments underway which BlueScope have invested in, including the development of products that will be a game-changer in para-sport.
Since 2017 we have built our connections in Australian sport and are now listed with Sport Australia as a preferred charity and sporting organisation providing funds.
We have partnerships which are in kind understanding of shared resources with branding and content across the partners digital assets, as well as an understanding to explore and develop new engagements or reach.
The World Para Swimming Championships was held in July and was concluded in Manchester. Keira Stephens, an athlete supported by the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS), achieved a remarkable feat. Keira Stephens secured a well-deserved 3rd place in the Women's 100m Breaststroke SB9 event, displaying exceptional skill and dedication. Her impressive performance resulted in a noteworthy time of 1 minute and 16.73 seconds. We commend Keira Stephens for her outstanding achievement at the Championships, showcasing her dedication and commitment to excellence in para-swimming.
Jack Howell stands as a para-triathlete of remarkable distinction, whose impressive achievements have earned him recognition and respect within the realm of para-sports.
Jack’s incredible achievements in 2023:
At the 2023 World Paralympics Swimming Championships, Col Pearse delivered an outstanding performance, setting a personal best time of 1 minute and 3.46 seconds in the Men's 100m Backstroke S10 event, ultimately securing a fifth-place finish. His exceptional display at the Championships exemplified his remarkable skill and dedication. Furthermore, Pearse's overall performance in the competition was nothing short of impressive, as he also claimed a silver and a bronze medal during the meet, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the world of Paralympic swimming.
Col is currently in training for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Caleb is a celebrated Para Table Tennis Champion. He recently competed in the 2023 Table Tennis Korean Para Open.
His results from the 2023 Tennis Karean Para Open:
Jamieson recently competed in the Boccia World Cup which was held in Montreal. Her team took out the gold in the BC3 pairs team and she also took out the bronze in the female competition. Jamieson continues to train full-time in Boccia as she now prepares to qualify for the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The end period to qualify for the Paralympics is 31st December 2023.
Reese is an accomplished athlete who currently serves as a member of both the UWA Athletics Club and the Kinetic Track Squad. She embarked on her athletic journey at the age of 12. Some of her recent notable accomplishments comprise securing a bronze medal in the T38 Long Jump event at the prestigious 2023 Australian Athletics Championships, as well as clinching bronze in the U17 Para Australian National Cross Country Championships in 2022.
Most recently, Reese won a bronze medal in the Women's T38 Long Jump at the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games. She achieved a new personal best with an impressive distance of 3.73m, surpassing her PB of 3.61m from the Australian Junior Track and Field Championships earlier this year.
Sean competed in the 2023 Blind Cricket World Cup which was held in India. Within the team Sean was the star of the show with the ball, picking up 1/37. The Australian team competed against South Africa and it was a close win with Australia 7-180 20 overs and South Africa taking the win with 5-184 18.3 overs.
Layla competed at the NSW Junior Athletics titles with two gold medals, claiming victory in both the U20 T12 400m and the U17 T38 800m. Layla ran in the T12 400m, recording a personal best time, just one second off the qualifying time for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
James Gittus participated in his inaugural National Championships, conducted in September within Queensland, as a representative of Tasmania in the sport of Judo. When James originally applied for the Sport Access Foundation Kick Start grant in 2022, he articulated precise ambitions of representing his school at the National Schools Championships in 2023. However, during the latter part of the previous year, James encountered an injury that necessitated an extensive seven-month recuperation and rehabilitation period to facilitate his return to the world of Judo. Witnessing James not only achieve but surpass his objectives is truly remarkable.
Dayna Crees made a lasting impact at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships, which took place in July in Paris. As a recent addition to the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), Dayna embarked on her World Championship debut in the F34 category, impressing with remarkable javelin throws. Her extraordinary performance earned her a commendable fourth place, solidifying her place in the annals of history, while simultaneously establishing new records for Australia and Oceania.
It is often the most uplifting and then the hardest days when I make calls regarding the success of applicants with the annual grants. I am always humbled when I speak to many of the parents and carers for your commitment to improving the lives of not only your young child, but also the education and advocacy you do in your own way each day.
To all our applicants and those who were not successful, thank you for sharing your goals and aspirations and I encourage you to apply again.
I would like to thank all of you that apply, for your own achievements and commitment in your own endeavours and for reaching out to Sport Access Foundation to share your experiences.
It is through your willingness to share, that we can continually educate and raise awareness on the need for more resources into improving access to sport.
Get Involved
Your donation will go towards providing financial assistance and support to enable children with a disability to participate in sporting activities. Every dollar goes direct to the grant recipients to help with the cost of their sport, including modified equipment, carer costs, transport and fees.
