Disability Sport and Recreation

15/06/2026

🏆 Do you know someone who's changing the game for inclusive sport and recreation in Victoria?

Nominations for the Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards are open — but only for another 2 weeks.

The awards shine a light on the extraordinary people and programs making disability sport and recreation happen across our state. Whether it's an athlete breaking barriers, a volunteer who shows up every week, a coach who sees potential where others don't, or a club that's made inclusion part of its DNA, we want to hear about them.

With 12 award categories, there's a place for every kind of contribution.

Nominating is simple and takes just a few minutes. Don't let someone deserving go unrecognised.

👉 Submit your nomination via the link below. Nominations close 30 June.

https://www.dsr.org.au/vdsrawardsnominations

📅 Winners will be announced on Tuesday, 25 August at Marvel Stadium

Need a hand? Call us on (03) 8652 9722 or email [email protected]

09/06/2026

Meet Emily 👋

She lost most of her vision as a teenager — but through sport, she found something she wasn't expecting: confidence, independence, and a community that had her back.

Today, Emily lives independently with her guide dog Kathryn, studies at university, and proudly represents Victoria in blind cricket. She even competed at the Women's Blind Cricket World Cup.

Her story is a powerful reminder of what's possible when people living with disability are given the opportunity to participate.

This tax time, you can help make that possible for more people. Every donation goes toward connecting people with disability to sport and recreation programs that change lives.

👉 Donate today: https://bit.ly/4xfCF15

28/05/2026

💬 Have you navigated the system for a child with developmental delay?

SMS Australia is looking for parents and carers to share their experience in a new research project — and your story could help shape clearer pathways for other families.

"Navigating Care for Children with Rare or Undiagnosed Disease Developmental Delay"

What's involved:
📹 1-hour online interview via Microsoft Teams
🎁 $50 voucher as a thank you for your time
📅 Interviews running 1–31 May — limited spots available
💛 Help create practical resources for families navigating the NDIS, healthcare, and support systems

📧 Get involved by emailing: [email protected]

💬 Have you navigated the system for a child with developmental delay?

We want to hear from you.

SMS Australia is seeking parents and carers to take part in a new project:

“Navigating Care for Children with Rare or Undiagnosed Disease Developmental Delay”

✔ 1-hour online interview (via Microsoft Teams)
✔ $50 voucher as a thank you for your time and inputs
✔ Help shape practical resources for families

Your experience could help create clearer pathways for others navigating the NDIS, healthcare, and support systems.

🗓 Interviews running 1st - 31st May
👥 Limited spots available
📩 Get involved or learn more: [email protected]
📄 Full details: https://tinyurl.com/smsaus-proj-info

Your voice matters and it will help other families as they embark on navigating the system.

Rare Voices Australia

26/05/2026

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Awards! 🎉

Each year, these awards shine a light on the extraordinary athletes, volunteers, coaches, community members and initiatives transforming the lives of Victorians with disability through sport and recreation.

Who inspires you? Who goes above and beyond? Who deserves to be celebrated?

Nominations close Tuesday, 30 June 2026.

Awards ceremony: Tuesday, 25 August 2026 at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

Visit the link for more information and to submit your nomination: https://www.dsr.org.au/vdsr-awards

Need support with the nomination form?
📞 (03) 8652 9722
📧 [email protected]

04/05/2026

The 2026 Victorian Interschools Snowsports Multiclass Event heads back to Mt Buller in August — 14 years of creating amazing opportunities for athletes with disability on the slopes. Well worth checking out!

📅 17–19 August 2026 | 📍 Mt Buller

More info & registrations: www.multiclasssports.asn.au/event-2026

❄️ ANNOUNCING THE 2026 VIC INTERSCHOOLS MULTICLASS SNOWSPORTS EVENT! ⛷️🏂

We’re excited to announce that the Multiclass Snowsports Event returns this year, bringing together skiers and snowboarders with intellectual or physical impairments for an unforgettable experience on the slopes.

📅 Monday 17th - Wednesday 19 August 2026
📍 Mt Buller

The Multiclass Snowsports Championship race is a Giant Slalom event that gives primary and secondary school students the opportunity to compete at the Snow Australia Victorian Interschools in their own race, while being part of the wider championship atmosphere. It’s a chance for athletes of all abilities to experience the excitement of racing, build confidence, and connect with a supportive snowsports community.

In the lead-up to race day, participants can also take part in a 2-day development clinic (17–18 August) with Mt Buller Ski School instructors, with additional support from experienced Disabled Wintersport Australia guides – a fantastic opportunity to build skills and prepare for the race.

Adult athletes with intellectual impairment are also invited to take part through the Special Olympics Australia pathway, creating an inclusive alpine racing experience for athletes of all ages.

Since being founded in 2013, the Multiclass Event has continued to grow, creating meaningful opportunities for young athletes with disability to be part of Victorian Interschools Snowsports Championships and experience the magic of alpine racing. ✨

Whether you're a returning competitor or considering the event for the first time, we can’t wait to see you on the mountain in 2026!

👉 More info and registration details: www.multiclasssports.asn.au/event-2026


Snow Performance Sport Inclusion Australia Snow Sisters Law Enforcement Torch Run Ski Club of Victoria Disability Sport and Recreation Australian Sporting Alliance for People with Disability

19/03/2026

We are are thrill’d to be featured in the Local Matters program at Collingwood 🍔

Grab a burger and pop your token into the Disability Sport & Recreation jar, it is a simple way to support inclusive sport and recreation in our community 💙

Good food, great cause = win win!

19/03/2026

The Sporting Club Grants Program is now open!

This funding supports grassroots clubs and organisations to break down barriers to participation, create safe and sustainable environments, and strengthen active, connected local communities.

⏰ Applications close Tuesday 7 April 2026.

To find out more and how to apply, visit:

The Sporting Club Grants Program provides funding for community sport and active recreation organisations across Victoria.

07/03/2026

International Women's Day 2026 | Balance the Scales

On International Women's Day, we acknowledge that women with disability who overwhelmingly face additional barriers across all facets of life, barriers shaped by the intersectionality of gender and disability-based discrimination.

At DSR, we remain committed to equality of access to sport and active recreation. Whether you, as a woman, choose to work, volunteer, compete or play in this space. We know the vital role sport and active recreation plays in building safe, supportive communities and enhancing wellbeing at every level.

As Shelley Matheson — Inclusion Advisor, Australian Paralympian & Mum, reminds us:

"For me, Balance the Scales this International Women's Day means backing disabled women in sport with the same belief, funding, media coverage, pathways and job opportunities afforded to others.

Balancing the scales means more than participation — it means disabled women are wearing the jersey, coaching, managing programs, shaping policy, sitting at selection tables and leading high-performance systems. It means being recognised, consulted and employed as the experts in our field."

In honour of every woman with disability who is rising up, inspiring action, blazing trails and creating positive change — we see you and we celebrate you.

👇 Tag an inspiring woman below and let her know just how awesome she is!

UN Women Australia

28/01/2026

We are proud to be a key partner in Level The Field VIC alongside our regional friends Leisure Networks, as part of the State Governments $40 million, All Abilities Workforce and Sector Support Program funding.

We are excited to share the fantastic opportunity for our community, to apply for a ‘Level the Field’ grant through Leisure Networks.

Two significant streams of grant funding are available:

1. The Long Game: Creating System and Organisational Change

2. Levelling Up: Creating Employment Pathways and Opportunities in the Sport & Active Recreation Sector

To find out more about the grants and apply head to: www.levelthefield.org.au

19/01/2026

Want to inspire meaningful conversations about inclusion and disability?

WheelTalk is an interactive, adaptive sport program led by Victorians with disability, designed to challenge perceptions and get participants learning through movement.

👉 Make inclusion part of your calendar. Book Today: https://www.dsr.org.au/wheeltalk

📰 Check out our recent ABC News feature to see WheelTalk in action!

A group of students in Victoria have explored what life could be like as a wheelchair user in a sports program led by a Paralympian.It's hoped initiatives li...