The 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.

The Awards are an opportunity to discover unsung heroes and rising stars and celebrate what’s truly great about accessible and inclusive sport.

The 2020 VDSR Award categories are:

• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Female Sportsperson of the Year
• My Sport Live Male Sportsperson of the Year
• Marg Angel Junior Sportsperson of the Year
• Masters Sportsperson of the Year
• Carbine Club Team of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Official of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Initiative of the Year
• Inclusive Sport, Recreation or Open Space Infrastructure Award

The VDSR Awards have previously celebrated elite level Paralympians including Dylan Alcott OAM, Paralympics Gold Medal winner and winner of ten grand slam singles title in wheelchair tennis and Dr Jessica Gallagher, who went on to become the 2018 Commonwealth Games Sports Ambassador for Cycling.

They have recognised the dedication and commitment to the sector by many individuals including Maurice Gleeson, who has worked tirelessly for the blind and vision impaired community for over 40 years and Greg Crump, whose contribution to wheelchair tennis both here and abroad stretches over 30 years.

2020 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards key dates:

• Nominations open – Friday 24 January 2020
• Nominations close – Midnight Sunday 15 March 2020
• Tickets go on sale – Monday 23 March 2020
• Judging – Friday 20 March – Monday 13 April 2020
• Finalists announced – Monday 20 April 2020
• Awards ceremony – Wednesday 20 May 2020

Entrants in the Awards are nominated by state sporting associations, regional sport assemblies, local government, individuals, teammates, club members, coaches or their local community in recognition of their outstanding contribution to inclusive sport and recreation.

Disability Sport & Recreation CEO, Richard Amon said:

“As the awareness around inclusive sport and recreation grows, so too does the number of programs and initiatives supporting Victorians with disability to get active.

Our sector is made up of many humble people, who quietly go about volunteering, coaching and supporting people with disability so they can live healthy, active lives.

Together, these individuals, organisations and clubs are making tremendous, positive change in the lives of people with disability.

We strongly encourage everyone to consider those people who are making a quiet, but significant impact in their communities and acknowledge their contribution by nominating them for an award.”

Nominations for the 2020 VDSR Awards are for achievements, initiatives, programs, activities and developments that took place between January 2019 and December 2019.

Award ceremony details are:

• Wednesday 20 May 2020 at 4:30pm
• PwC, Level 21/2 Riverside Quay, Southbank

Tickets will be available to the public from Monday 23 March 2020 via Eventbrite.

The 2020 VDSR Awards are supported by the Victorian Government, the Carbine Club, PwC, My Sport Live and Craig Wetjen Photography.

About Disability Sport & Recreation

We are a for-purpose organisation with a proud history of over 55 years of supporting Victorians with disability to get physically active. Our vision is a Victoria where all people with disability can choose and access any sport or active recreation they want to engage with.

More information is available on the Disability Sport & Recreation website: www.dsr.org.au/awards/