Disability Recreation & Sports SA says help from national body has come too late after liquidation

THE insolvent organisation for South Australian athletes with physical disabilities says help from its national body has come too late for grassroots participants and Paralympic hopefuls.

Former Disability Recreation & Sports SA president Daryl Taylor says help from the national body has come too late. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

THE insolvent organisation for South Australian athletes with physical disabilities says help from its national body has come too late for grassroots participants.

Disability Recreation & Sports SA folded this week after it was unable to bridge gap between the $37,450 State Government funding and its $350,000 annual operating costs.

Parent group Disability Sports Australia on Wednesday said it would ensure representative programs for wheelchair basketball, football and rugby would continue.

But now-defunct DRSSA president Daryl Taylor said earlier financial assistance from the national branch would have helped save it.

Taylor also questioned DSA’s ability to serve SA’s 300 athletes and 25 sports across local competitions, as well as thousands of students in its WheelieNet school visitation initiative.

“It’s great that they (DSA) might be able to help with some of the programs,” said Taylor, a former Australian wheelchair basketballer.

“But the best way they could’ve stepped in would have been to give us $50,000.

Wheelchair basketballers Fernando Grez Montiel and Nathan Simpson participate in DRSSA’s program at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre. Picture: Matt Loxton

“This was so easy to solve if someone gave us the money.

“They (DSA) are looking like they’re doing a good thing, but in all honesty they’re not.

“It would be better if South Australia gets behind this and does it themselves.”

The closure of DRSSA, which had operated since 1968, potentially left beginners and Paralympic hopefuls in limbo.

It also meant a state team was unable to attend this week’s multi-disability lawn bowls titles in Queensland due to a lack of funding.

DSA said it would provide “immediate assistance” to athletes by supporting Adelaide Thunder’s continued involvement in the National Wheelchair Basketball League.

Chief executive Jenni Cole said it would ensure the state featured in next month’s wheelchair rugby nationals in Sydney and would develop football programs with the SANFL.

“We have been working with DRSSA to identify the key people and programs and have already commenced working directly with several sports,” Cole said.

DSA had also teamed up with Novita and Athletics SA to launch an initiative for athletes with cerebral palsy and more severe disabilities.

Meanwhile, shadow sports minister Katrine Hildyard called on the State Government to provide immediate financial support to DRSSA and its members.

“This organisation does an excellent job empowering people with disability to participate in sport and recreation – participation that brings excellent physical, mental and social benefits,” Hildyard said in a statement.

“Hundreds of athletes with disability need this government to get their priorities right.”