This year marks the tenth anniversary of the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards (VDSR Awards) – a celebration of the achievements of people with disability, those who support them and the inclusive sport and recreation sector across Victoria.

“The past ten years have shown us, time and time again, the phenomenal power of sport and recreation to change the lives of people with disability,’ said Disability Sport & Recreation CEO, Richard Amon.

“Each year we see new athletes emerge, incredible new initiatives and more organisations changing or building sporting infrastructure that is accessible. You’d think we would’ve seen it all in the last ten years, but our sector just keeps progressing.”

“Our members have told us they take part in sport and recreation for fun, friendship and fitness. Giving people with disability better choice and access to physical activity is the key to making sure they are connected to our community and receiving the associated health and social benefits that participation brings.”

“Whether you are an athlete, volunteer, official, coach, club, venue or program at the grass roots or Paralympian level, our awards showcase the outstanding contribution that both individuals and our community make, to empower Victorians with disability to get active and achieve their goals.”

“I am incredibly proud that our awards have reached this milestone and we look forward to highlighting more achievements over the next ten years.”

The VDSR Awards have previously celebrated elite level Paralympians including Dylan Alcott, who recently won his seventh 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.

Nominations for the 2019 VDSR Awards are now open and will close on Sunday 17 March 2019.

Nominations for the 2019 VDSR Awards are for achievements, initiatives, programs, activities and developments that took place between January 2018 and December 2018.

The VDSR Award categories are:

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

The nomination guide and nomination forms are available on the Disability Sport & Recreation website: www.dsr.org.au/awards/

From this year, the VDSR Awards will be held in May to better reflect the previous calendar year of achievements. The ceremony will be held on Wednesday 22 May 2019 at PwC Southbank.