“Invest in their careers”: Future Paralympians receive mighty help from Sport Access Foundation

The Sport Access Foundation has is set to help fund 18 shining stars, helping Aussie kids with disability to participate in sport. Meet the 18 must-know future Paralympians

Sport Access Foundation has announced the 2023 Sport Access Foundation grant recipients, helping Aussie kids with disability to participate in sport.

Sport Access Foundation Founder and Director, and Paralympic Gold Medallist Katie Kelly OAM said the foundation’s goal is to ensure no child is left behind.

“Every year we receive applications from across the country, from young Australians with disability who are seeking support to achieve

Grace Brimelow

their sporting goals,” Kelly said.

“Their disability is not inspiring, rather it is their determination and resilience to achieve their goals, regardless of the many barriers and disablist attitudes that young people with disability experience.

“While the grants provide financial support which helps to provide opportunities, they are mostly about empowering.

“The grants ensure every young recipient knows that if they keep showing up, they will be rewarded.”

Divided into four categories, awardees 7 years old to 17 across a plethora of sports.

“Young people with disability are so often directed away from sport, but these scholarships ... make an important difference.

“Many of these young athletes will be holding our hopes for medals in the 2032 Paralympic events so we need to invest in their careers,” she said.

Meet the 18 must-know future Paralympians and 2023 Sport Access Foundation recipients:

Brody Velthuis

No Barriers (Aged 7-12 years) $500 x 8

Alexander Blyth

11 years

Nowra NSW, Tharawal country

Disability: Physical Disability

Sport: Boccia, South Coast Stingrays

Matilda Chesterton

12 years

Newington NSW, Eora country

Disability: Physical Disability

Sport: Wheelchair fencing, NSW Fencing Association

Rowan Gillam

10 years

Forest Lake, Yugarabul (Please check)

Disability: Vision Impairment

Sport: Athletics, Toowong Harriers

Huntar Gittus

12 years

Gagebrook TAS, Palawa country

Disability: Intellectual Disability & Autism

Sport: Judo, Clarence PCYC

Scarlet Hope

11 years

Kinross WA, Whadjuk country

Disability: Autism

Sport: Gymnastics

Cooper Smith

13 years

Tamworth NSW, Kamilaroi/Gomeroi people

Disability: Cerebral Palsy

Jacinta Thew

13 years

Ashbury NSW, Gadigal Country

Disability: Physical Disability

Sport: Fencing, Fencing Academy NSW

Tahlee Cam

12 years

Leschenault WA, Noongar Country (Please Check)

Disability: Autism

Sport: Swimming Australind Swimming Club. To represent WA Multi Class at

2023 School Sport Swimming Championships

Kick Start (aged 13-17 years) $1000 x 4

Alexis Kalofonos

Alexis Kalofonos

10 years

Pacific Pines QLD, Yugambeh country

Disability: Cerebral Palsy

Sport: Baseball

Mia Kertesz

13 years

Pine Mountain QLD, Yugerra People

Disability: Physical Disability. Achondroplasia

Sport: Athletics, Colleges Cross Little Athletics and Ipswich & District Athletics

Club

Jordan Mouritz

16 years

Clarkson WA, Whadjuk

Disability: Physical Disability. Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT).

Sport: Wheelchair Basketball

Angus Murrie

16 years

Carnegie TAS, Wurundjeri

Disability: Physical Disability

Sport: Triathlon - Inclusive Sports Training

Pathway to Paralympics (aged 13-17 years) $1500 x 2

Grace Brimelow

Grace Brimelow

16 years

Woombye QLD, Kabi Kabi and Jinibara country

Para-triathlon

Physical Disability

Brody Velthuis

Brody Velthuis

14 years

Capalaba QLD, Quandamooka country

Vision Impairment

Sport: Triathlon

Sporting Club Grants (all registered sporting clubs) $2000 x 4

Club: Victorian Blind Cricket Association

Sport: Blind Cricket

Kooyong VIC, Wurundjeri country

Disability: Vision Impairment

Club: Goalball Western Australia

Victoria Park WA, Noongar country

Sport: Goalball

Disability: Vision Impairment

Club: Sutherland Shire Water Polo Association

Sport: Water Polo

Sutherland NSW, Tharawal country

Disability: Intellectual Disability & Autism

South East Queensland Wheelchair Rugby League

Club: South East Queensland Wheelchair Rugby League

Sport: Wheelchair Rugby League

Brendale QLD, Turrball Country

Physical Disability

Originally published as “Invest in their careers”: Future Paralympians receive mighty help from Sport Access Foundation