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 A message from the CEO
Welcome to this bumper edition of the DSA newsletter! As we all eagerly await the start of the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, it is great to focus on the organisations and programs that provide the platform for Australia’s performance in elite sport.
 Did you know that over 1 million Australians have a physical impairment that impacts their ability to get involved in sport and active recreation, and that most of those people would like to be more active? Disability Sports Australia is incredibly proud of the efforts of our member organisations in each state in introducing people to a range of sports and supporting them through their exploration of sport and active recreation opportunities. You can read about these organisations later in the newsletter, and please do contact them to get involved in your state!
In this edition of the newsletter you will read a lot about partnerships, which are so critical to our ability to change lives through sport. We were thrilled to announce our partnership with AFL to support the development and growth of the new sport of Wheelchair Australian Football – Australia’s Game, Everyone’s Game! Over the coming months we will work closely with AFL, and the Australian Defence Force to bring this sport to the Australian public.
We are proud to have announced our successful bid to host the 2018 IWRF World Championship Wheelchair Rugby 5-10 August 2018 in Sydney, bringing the 12 best teams in the world to Sydney to challenge our own Aussie Steelers as they defend their World Title. We will soon be seeking volunteers and working with our partner organisations to ramp up for this huge event!
We hope you join us in watching our Aussie Paralympians as they compete in Rio in a few days - details of how to watch can be found in this newsletter. Most of these Australian Paralympians got their start through one of our hard working member organisations, and I am sure you will join me in wishing the athletes, and the Australian Paralympic Team staff, every success and for a fantastic experience as they represent their country at the highest level.
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OUR BOARD MEMBERS
Paul Bedbrook - Chair
Jodi Baker
Peter Debnam
George Hucks
Steve Johns
Michael Lane
Steve Loader
Karen McBrien
Joan Steele-Mills
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OUR STAFF MEMBERS
Jenni Cole
CEO
Michaela O'Leary
Marketing & Comms Manager
Malcolm Beard
Finance Manager
Mark Leslie
Wheelchair Rugby Coordinator
Kelsey Singh
Sports Coordinator
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Esme Bowen
After many years of tireless service, Esme has retired from the board. We cannot thank her enough for all her hard work! |
Kelsey Singh
Promoted to Full-time
Sports Coordinator.
We welcome Kelsey to the DSA team! |
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The IPC announces Rio 2016 Paralympics live stream
 From the 8th of September, Dailymotion will be live broadcasting over 600 hours of video on 15 HD channels of 13 live sports, highlights of all 22 sports and the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games on paralympic.org.
The live stream will have English commentary and will be available in around 240 territories on Paralympic.org. 7two will be the Australian broadcaster on free-to-air TV. Click here to read more!
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Australia wins bid to host the 2018 IWRF Wheelchair Rugby World Championships
 Save the date! Disability Sports Australia has won an international bidding process to host the 2018 International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) Wheelchair Rugby World Championships in Sydney in August 2018. From 4 – 10 August 2018, Sydney Olympic Park will host the world’s top 12 teams, including the Australian Steelers who are the reigning Paralympic and World Champions. Click here to read more!
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2016 GIO Wheelchair Rugby National Championships
2016 was a huge year for Wheelchair Rugby. After Fierce 4 Rugby League competitions in Melbourne and Brisbane, the season was capped off with the biggest and best Wheelchair Rugby National Championships we have seen! Athletes from Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales competed alongside national teams from New Zealand and Japan for the chance of winning gold!
After 3 days of competition, the gold medal match between the GIO NSW Gladiators and Japan was an absolute nail biter that went into overtime. In the end the Japanese were victorious defeating NSW by 1 point, 59 to 58. VERO New Zealand narrowly defeated the Suncorp QLD Cyclones 53 to 51 to clinch the bronze medal.
Head to the Fierce 4 Rugby website for videos, results and the latest news.
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 DSA and AFL team up to develop Wheelchair Aussie Rules!
The Australian Football League (AFL) has partnered with Disability Sports Australia (DSA) to develop and grow Wheelchair Australian Football. The exciting announcement ensures that the profile of Wheelchair “Aussie Rules” continues to increase and provides more Australians with the opportunity to play Australia’s game!
Read more about this exciting partnership or learn more about Wheelchair Aussie Rules.
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The Aussie Steelers prepare for Rio Paralympics
 They are the reigning Paralympic and World Champions in Wheelchair Rugby, and now the Australian Steelers are hoping to defend their title at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. The Australian Paralympic Committee announced their 12-man team to compete at the Games lead by captain and three-time Paralympian Ryan Scott.
For more information on the Steelers team and their journey to Rio click here.
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Julie represents Australia at IWAS World Under 23 Games
 Australian athletics superstar Julie Charlton competed as the only member of the Australian team at the 2016 International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport (IWAS) Under 23 World Games in Prague, Czech Republic. Julie came home with some phenomenal results.
- Bronze – Shot Put 3kg U20 Women
- Silver – Discus Throw 1kg U18 Women
- Gold and new Australian Record - Javelin Throw 600g U18 Women
Julie’s journey to Prague was off the back of hard work, training and fundraising. Julie, with the help of Disability Sports Australia, raised $7,070 to be able to travel to Prague and represent Australia.
For more information on the IWAS Under 23 World Games and for full results visit the IWAS website
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Multibowl 2016 - Wet and Wild!
The 2016 Multi-Disability Lawn Bowls National Championships were held at Clearview Bowling Club located in Adelaide from the 22nd - 27th of May.
This year the competition welcomed 43 participants from South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and ACT. This is the most competitors who have attended in the competition’s history.
The interstate trophy was won by ACT, and the Clover/Lester Encouragement Award was won by Dylan-Jack Weaver (VIC). For the rest of the story and full results, click here!
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Kilsyth Cobras back-to-back NWBL champions!
 The National Wheelchair Basketball League (NWBL) concluded in June with the Kilsyth Cobras defeating the Be Active Perth Wildcats in the Gold Medal match 80 to 54. The win made the Kilsyth Cobras back-to-back Champions of the NWBL capping off an impressive season. The Wollongong Roller Hawks bounced back from a tough semi-final loss to defeat the Red Dust Heelers 66 to 55 to get the bronze medal.
Click here for the full results of the 2016 season. For a wrap-up of the finals, click here.
Women's National Wheelchair Basketball League Finals
 The 2016 Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball League (WNWBL) concluded last weekend with the Be Active Western Stars completing a clean sweep during the finals weekend to secure the 2016 Championship.
Click here to read more!
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Invictus Games Orlando goes off with a BOOM!
 The Australian Invictus team of 40 wounded former and current Defence force athletes, joined more than 600 athletes in Orlando, Florida to compete at the 2nd Invictus Games in May 2016. The Games aim to provide an environment for current and former wounded, injured and ill Defence athletes to compete in an array of adaptive sports and foster relationships. The Australian team performed exceptionally well bringing home 16 medals including 5 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze!
DSA was proud to support the prep of the Australian Invictus team by facilitating 2 training camps focusing on Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Basketball and Sitting Volleyball in the lead up to the event.
To view the Australian team click here.
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National Adaptive Mountain Biking Conference 2016
 In June, Break the Boundary, supported by DSA and Disability Sport and Recreation Victoria presented the Inaugural National Adaptive Mountain Biking Conference. The conference was a chance to learn about what's been happening in Australia and globally with this new, developing sport and recreational activity. It provided a brilliant opportunity to take part in a panel discussion regarding the sport and where it will go in future. Click here to watch the video recording of the conference.
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Thursday 8th - Monday 19th September
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Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th September
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Increase awareness and patronage of your event!
Register it on the DSA website and it might get featured in our next newsletter!
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Wheelchair Sports NSW
NSW Juniors win 2016 Kevin Coombs Cup
The NSW Juniors Basketball team travelled to Adelaide for the 2016 Kevin Coombs Cup. This year a team of 9 players travelled to Kevin Coombs Cup; Anderson Parker, Georgia Munro-Cook, Jess Cronje, Ben Meoli, Maryanne Latu, Jess Pellow, Taitum Brown, Ash Pellow and Catherine Nelson
View their latest e-newsletter online
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 Disability Sport and Recreation VIC
Celebration of a wonderful life
Portrait of the late Marg Angel
We pay tribute to Marg Angel, a wonderful mother, wife, colleague and friend, who gave so much to the disability sporting community.
 Marg, who passed away recently, has left a legacy of many years as a committed volunteer and passionate champion of junior wheelchair sports.
In 2007, she received the prestigious Lord Taverner's Award in recognition of her significant contribution to the development of junior sports and in 2010, along with her husband, Paul, was made a life member of Disability Sport & Recreation.
Marg will be enormously missed and we give our heartfelt condolences to all those who knew and loved her.
View their latest e-newsletter online
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 Sporting Wheelies & Disabled Assoc. QLD
Queensland claims top state trophy at Boccia Nationals
Queensland has claimed the champion state trophy at the 2016 Boccia Australia National Titles thanks to outstanding individual and team performances.
 The Queensland BC1/BC2 team of Jason Mayweather (Captain), Nathan Ford, Lachlan Kavanagh and Fiona Lyons defeated NSW to win their sixth national BC1/BC2 title and their third in a row since 2014.
It was a sweet victory for longstanding team member Fiona, who also won the individual BC2 singles title for the first time since 2010.
View their latest e-newsletter online
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Whee lchair Sports WA
Simon Mead appointed new CEO
Wheelchair Sports WA is pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Mead as its new Chief Executive and extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing CEO, Raymond Yong.
 Simon has worked in and around community and membership organisations all his life. He is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member of the Board of Advocare, an independent, community based, not for profit organisation that supports and protects the rights of older people and people with disabilities. Read more!
View their latest e-newsletter online
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Disability Recreation & Sports SA
 Own a piece of Pro Hart history
Now is your chance to own a highly collectable rare Lithographic Pro Hart or Kym Hart Limited Edition Print. These rare prints come personally hand signed or print signed and are being sold to commemorate 10 years since Pro Hart's passing. All proceeds going to support people in SA with disabilities. Click here to see the collection
View their latest news on Facebook
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ParaQuad Association of Tasmania
For enquires regarding disabled sports programs in Tasmania, please contact state organisation ParaQuad Association of Tasmania via email info@paraquadtas.org.au or call
(03) 6272 8816.
View their latest news online
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 Disabled Sports Association NT
For enquires regarding disabled sports programs in the Northern Territory, please contact state member Jan Palazzi at Disabled Sports Association NT on (08) 8945 4800 or via email dsant@connexus.net.au.
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