How we work

Sporting Dreams Queensland Inc is a grant based organisation, presenting the athletes with their grants at a special ceremony celebrating the athletes achievements. We have no age limit, recognising that many athletes acquire a disability later in life.

Why athletes need grants

Athletes with disabilities now have the many opportunities to participate in sport and to access excellent coaching and facilities, often integrated with able bodied athletes. There are skiers in wheelchairs and with a vision impairment, disabled waterskiers and even fencers along with swimming and athletics- to name just a few. However the costs of adaptive equipment are often cost prohibitive, leaving many athletes watching from the sidelines or unable to achieve to the best of their ability.

In addition, athletes may need costly specialized one on one coaching. Some athletes may need assistance to get to and from training, or even to pay a support worker to help get their training clothes on, to assist with personal care and facilitate the athlete competing, which cannot be covered by any other funding scheme.

This is why Sporting Dreams has decided to provide athletes with grants to help cover these expenses. As each individual is different, athletes can determine how funds will best assist them to achieve their sporting dreams.

This is why Sporting Dreams has decided to provide athletes with grants to cover these expenses. As each individual is different, athletes can determine how funds will best assist them to achieve their sporting dreams.

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Grants

Athletes are invited to apply for funding during each year by filling out an application form. At the close of applications, all athletes will be assessed by a selection panel formed by Sporting Dreams Founder Marayke Jonkers.

The panel will confer with development officers for the state sporting organisations prior to the selection panel meeting and obtain their recommendations in respect of the applicants. Decisions the panel make are  final.

All applicants will be advised in writing whether or not they have been successful in receiving a Sporting Dreams Grant.

Athletes are only eligible to receive a grant every two years, in order to give the largest number of athletes an opportunity. Sporting Dreams is keen to follow the career of all our athletes and will remain in regular contact with athletes throughout the year.

Marayke will also be available to provide mentoring to athletes who wish to remain in regular contact, and can discuss topics such as and media training, goal setting, life at the Paralympics.

Marayke will also be available to provide mentoring to athletes who wish to remain in regular contact, and can discuss topics such as and media training, goal setting, life at the Paralympics.

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Who runs Sporting Dreams

Sporting Dreams is administered by a board of volunteers comprised of people with disabilities, carers and people interested in furthering support for people with disabilities to participate in sport. The board is

President: Marayke Jonkers

Marayke’s qualifications include:

    • Triple Paralympian, Paralympic medalist, world record holder
    • Bachelor of Arts (Communications) in Public Relations and Journalism
    • Bachelor of Social Science (Community Work)

 

Secretary: Peter Lane-Collett

Peter’s qualifications include:

    • decades of lived experience with a physical disability
    • had a strong interest in sport previous to being injured and competed in several sports
    • has a firm belief that people of all ability levels have a right to participate at some level in sport and other activities

 

Treasurer: Ian Jones

Ian’s qualifications include:

    • extensive experience working with people with disabilities including sport, community participation
    • a strong interest in diversity and inclusion

 

Ordinary board member: Debbie Jones

Debbie’s qualifications include:

    • is a qualified “Learn to Swim” instructor. While running her own swim school she took an interest in developing innovative ways to ensure children of all abilities were included
    • trained Marayke Jonkers to two Paralympics and a world Paratriathlon
    • has attended two Paralympics as support and was a handler at a Paratriathlon
    • two decades of hands-on experience in Paraswimming and Parariathlon at local, state and international levels

 

Ordinary board member: Paula Hillier (Assistant Secretary)

Paula’s qualifications include:

    • extensive experience working with people with disabilities as a support worker
    • is a trainer of people wishing to work in the disability support sector
    • has worked in Disability Employment Services

 

What will happen to my donation?

Every dollar donated to Sporting Dreams goes straight back to athletes. All board members volunteer their time to run Sporting Dreams and fundraise, meaning there are no staff wages to be paid out of donations. Our application for DGR status is awaiting approval.

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Sponsors

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