Category Archives: Blog

9 Oct 2014

Top 10 tips for travelling with a manual wheelchair

Maraykes’ top 10 tips for travelling with a manual wheelchair Sporting Dreams founder Marayke is a qualified journalist and writes professionally about accessible travel for wheelchair users. Link magazine recently featured “Maraykes top 10 tips for travelling with a wheelchair” ...

Marayke Jonkers 13 Comments

22 Jul 2014

Trying ‘Tri’ for Sporting Dreams

My swimming coach Mike Williams decided to do his first triathlon in March and I’m super excited he used the opportunity to raise funds for Sporting Dreams. Mike helped me to win a silver medal at the Beijing Paralympics, now I’m...

Marayke Jonkers No Comments

14 Sep 2013

Darron does his first half Ironman

You know those moments that will stay with you for a lifetime? I had a most unexpected one today watching my friend and training partner Darron finish his first half Ironman. It is an achievement in...

Marayke Jonkers No Comments

4 Sep 2007

I won the first ever Cosmo fun fearless female Award!

I’ve just returned from the most amazing experience of my life, and almost have to pinch myself to believe that it was real. Not only am I amazed that I have won this award but all the trappings that...

Marayke Jonkers 2 Comments

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Testimonial

To be recognised and considered for the Sporting Dreams Grant, having already received an introductory grant in 2012, and now a Developmental Athletes Grant in 2014 is an honour and a privilege. I am thankful for organisations such as the Sporting Dreams. lf it was not for such associations that exist and care for disabled athletes they would never achieve their goals and dreams. There are many disabled athletes just as deserving as me and I thank you kindly especially Marayake Jonkers, you will always be an inspiration and a legend in my eyes. ... Debra McGary- Lawn Bowls
Sporting Dreams helps inspire athletes by supporting and acknowledging disabled athletes aspirations. Attending the Ceremony showed me how many marvelous people there are striving to achieve their own personal goal. Sporting Dreams is important because it encourages you and helps you to chase your dream. I have competed in the State and National RDA (Riding for the Disabled ) championships this year. My Sporting Dreams grant enabled me to pay the entry fees for my horse riding competitions. Sporting dreams is important because it encourages you and helps you to chase your dream. Sporting Dreams helps inspire athletes by supporting and acknowledging disabled athletes aspirations. ... Tarsha Tupper- Para Equestrian
“Sporting Dreams has been a great help to my family and I because they have provided money which has been very useful towards my sporting career travelling for big events, such as Nationals. I believe Sporting Dreams is important because it provides opportunities for young athletes to do what they desire. After my Sporting Dreams grant, I have achieved School Sport Australia National age champion 2 years in a row. I would like to thank Sporting Dreams for giving me the grant so I have been able to go on to achieve such amazing goals and opportunities.” Noah Robinson & Mum Sharon... Noah Robinson- Swimming
Receiving my Sporting Dreams grant and coming to that first awards ceremony was incredibly exciting. The grant itself was wonderful, as we knew it would really help me to achieve my goals, but going to the ceremony and meeting Marayke, who is such an inspiring role model, and other fantastic athletes who were doing so well in their respective sports, was a great learning experience. The grant allowed me to buy a new pair of racing shoes, as I was transitioning into sprints at the time, and also helped with my competition costs. I think Sporting Dreams is so important because the financial costs of sport can be very high, and that can sometimes mean that hardworking, talented sportspeople can’t compete as much as they would like. The Sporting Dreams grants help make it possible for more athletes to achieve their sporting goals, and also brings together athletes so that they can learn from each other, and realize they’re not alone in their journey. I received my first grant in 2008. Since then, I competed in the IPC Athletics World Championships in 2011, where I won silver in the T35 100m, and gold in the T35 200m. I also competed...... Rachael Dodds-athletics
I am fortunate to have been the recipient of two of these awards and they have been of great assistance to me as I pursue my sporting dream of representing Australia in Athletics at the Paralympics. Both the awards have assisted me with the day to day practicalities of training and competing in my chosen events of Shot Put and Discus. I live in a regional area of Queensland, so each week, twice a week I make a three hour round trip to travel to Brisbane for training. The grant monies help cover the cost of my travel and training fees. This has been a great help to me as last year I was able to travel to the USA to compete in the World Dwarf Games where I won three gold medals and set a World Dwarf Games record and this year I was able to make my goal of winning the Australian Open Women’s Discus and place third in Shot Put, setting a new Australian record for my classification. Sporting Dreams Foundation is important not only because of the financial assistance it offers but also for the recognition, encouragement and inspiration it gives as we strive to reach...... Claire Keefer- athletics
Ready. Set. Go! If only life was so simple… As an athlete with a disability we are always getting ready. Set. Well that’s the easy part. Go…. That’s the tricky part. Preparation is always the key ingredient with plenty of support, and self-belief that there are no limitations. My name is Lakeisha Patterson, otherwise known as Lucky in the swimming world, I am 15 years old with Cerebral Palsy, Early onset Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy and Micrographia, to name a few, ha. Life is challenging at times, even without a disability. But if you surround yourself in the right environment, and keep your eyes open, you shall surely discover many opportunities as I have. I started swimming to gain a pain free day. With incredible encouragement from a learn to swim coach who never gave up on me, I gained more strength every day. That everyday became a lifestyle in and out of the water that created many opportunities for greatness. When all is going great, the medal collection expands. My Sponsor, my mum, and my two sisters have made many sacrifices so as I can achieve my dream of becoming an Australian Paralympic Swimmer. Six months ago, this all seemed...... Lakeisha Patterson- Swimming
When Josh received his award in 2010 he was swimming. He represented Queensland and his relay team medaled at Nationals. Your grant helped with training and transport for this, thank-you. Since then, Josh has tried a variety of sports and cultural activities. For a boy with one hand he has not taken the easy options! Rugby replaced football, waterpolo replaced swimming, snare and bass drum replaced trumpet. Sailing and photography round out Josh’s co-curricular activities. – Louise Crean, Josh’s Mum ... Josh Crean- Swimming
Since I recieved funding from sporting dreams the grant made it easier for me to attend national championship in 2012. Sporting dreams is important to help athletes out with funding for them to either buy equipment they need or attend major events in there event.... Sara Wessling- athletics
Thanks for the Sporting Dreams grant!! It will go toward me paying for my carer as I don’t have many hours. So it means a lot!! Fiona Lyons, Boccia... Fiona Lyons
Thanks Marayke!! The Sporting Dreams grants meant so much to me, as did getting to know you- you’re such an amazing athlete and person. Rachael Dodds, athletics... Rachael Dodds