Disability Sport and Recreation

10/12/2025

✨ What an incredible day at the 2025 Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Festival!

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate inclusion, community and accessible active living. From our amazing exhibitors and volunteers to the families, schools and organisations who came down - you made the day unforgettable.

Swipe through for some of our favourite moments 📸

So much energy, connection and joy captured in every shot!

A huge shout-out to all our Major Partner, City of Melbourne and festival sponsor InPlace Living for helping bring this festival to life.

We can’t wait to see you again next year! 💙

04/12/2025

🎉 Celebrate International Day of People with Disability with us tomorrow at Crown Riverwalk!

Inclusion, community and accessible fun — all at the Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Festival.

✔ 25+ inclusive sport, recreation & community exhibitors
✔ Activity zones for all ages and abilities
✔ Meet Paralympians and program ambassadors
✔ Live music DJ Cooper Smith good vibes and plenty of fun!

Round up your friends and family — we can’t wait to see you there!

For more information on the festival: https://www.dsr.org.au/vdsr-festival

What's On Melbourne

03/12/2025

💙 International Day of People with Disability Spotlight: Meet Bonnie!

Fun-loving, resilient and always ready to give anything a go — Bonnie is a young athlete who shines in and out of the water. From surf lifesaving and swimming to dance, musical theatre and cross-country running, her week is packed with passion.

Bonnie lives with an intellectual disability, ADHD and dyspraxia, but nothing slows her down! She’s competed at Aussies, finished the Pier to Pub, made the Victorian Cross-Country team twice! and to top it all off, Bonnie won the 2025 Junior Sportsperson of the Year at our Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Awards.

Her story is a reminder that with the right support, inclusive communities and a determined spirit, anything is possible.

Today, we celebrate Bonnie, and all people with disability whose strength and joy inspire us every day.

Anglesea SLSC
International Day of People with Disability - Australia

02/12/2025

💙 International Day of People with Disability Spotlight: Meet Lloyd!

Lloyd is eight and lives with a rare genetic condition. He’s non-mobile and non-verbal, with a severe intellectual disability — yet none of this stops him from embracing new experiences.

With the support of the amazing team at Riverslide Skate Park and YMCA Victoria, Lloyd has started skateboarding using the All Abilities Skate Frame - Al’s Skate Co.

"The moment he rolled onto the ramp, his face lit up, he loved every second of it!" - Maya, Lloyd's mum.

Initiatives like this reflect this year’s IDPwD 2025 theme, fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress, and show the incredible impact of creating spaces where every child is welcomed, supported and encouraged to join in.

International Day of People with Disability - Australia

Children with severe disabilities rarely get a chance to have fun like other kids but with support and some creative thinking, Lloyd Pinn is out at the skate park and enjoying taking risks

20/11/2025

Your favourite inclusive festival is back 🎉

The 2025 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Festival is just 2 weeks away.

Try inclusive sports and recreation activites, dance to the music and celebrate our inclusive community.

📅 Friday 5 December 2025
⏰ 10am to 2pm
📍 Crown Riverwalk, Southbank

Click the link for more infomation: https://www.dsr.org.au/vdsr-festival

See you there!

16/10/2025

We love seeing our WheelTalk program in action! 💪🏀

It’s always inspiring to watch students connect with real stories of resilience and inclusion and have fun on the court too!

There’s still time to book a WheelTalk for Term 4. Don’t miss your chance to bring this experience to your school!

👉 https://www.dsr.org.au/wheeltalk

16/10/2025

🎉 The Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Festival is back!

📅 Friday 5 December
📍 Crown Riverwalk, Melbourne
🕙 10:00am–2:00pm

Bring your friends and family for a fun-filled day of connection and celebration as we celebrate International Day of People with Disability.

Here’s what to expect:
🎾 Try a range of inclusive sports and recreation activities
🎶 Enjoy live entertainment from DJ Cooper Smith
💡 Explore services and products that champion accessibility

Interested in exhibiting? Applications close Monday 20th of Oct.
👉 Learn more at https://www.dsr.org.au/vdsr-festival

04/09/2025

🏆 We are proud to celebrate India Biesse Fitton as one of our 2025 Elite Sportsperson of the Year winners!

With a sporting career spanning nearly two decades, India has proudly represented Australia across skiing, swimming and triathlon.

In 2025, she achieved outstanding results:
🥉 Bronze medal at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy
⛷️ Top 10 finishes at the Virtus World Skiing Championships in France

India’s quiet determination, athletic excellence and advocacy have not only earned her success on the world stage but also helped create more inclusive opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

👏 Congratulations India, on this well-deserved recognition!

This award is proudly sponsored by InPlace Living

04/09/2025

🎉 The 2025 Sport Initiative or Event of the Year is… Aqua Fit Program!

Victoria’s first-ever inclusive water aerobics program for adults who are blind or vision impaired, Aqua Fit is a collaboration between Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria and Hume Leisure/Hume City Council – Broadmeadows Aquatic & Leisure Centre. Launched in 2021 in direct response to community feedback, Aqua Fit provides a weekly class that removes barriers to participation through:

✅ Specially trained staff
✅ Adapted instruction & reduced noise
✅ In-pool guidance for safety

Since its launch, the program has grown to support participants in improving fitness, managing chronic pain, building confidence and fostering meaningful social connections all in a welcoming, barrier-free environment.

Congratulations to everyone involved in making Aqua Fit a success!

This award is proudly sponsored by Reclink Australia

04/09/2025

🏆 We are thrilled to recognise Dan Pritchard as one of our 2025 Elite Sportsperson of the Year winners.

In 2025, Dan proudly represented Australia with the Aussie Storm, securing bronze medals at the Berlin Nations Cup and the Trakai International Goalball Tournament. Highlights included a famous victory over World No.1 Brazil and a narrow clash with Paralympic champions Japan.

On home soil, Dan was a standout at the 2024 Australian Goalball Championships, earning All Star 6 honours and helping Victoria to bronze. Off the court, he also coached Victoria’s junior team to a podium finish.

Congratulations Dan, an incredible year of achievements on both the national and international stage 🌍

This award is proudly sponsored by InPlace Living.

03/09/2025

Meet Katie Kaminsky – our 2025 Community Team Member of the Year!

As the founder of Adaptive Climbing Victoria, Katie has transformed inclusive sport in Australia. Through her vision, programs and tireless volunteer work, she’s opened the world of climbing to countless people with disabilities. Making the sport more accessible, welcoming and empowering for all 🧗‍♀️

Congartulations Katie 👏

This award is proudly supported by VicHealth , recognising the amazing achievements within our community.

03/09/2025

🏆 Junior Sportsperson of the Year – Bonnie McCarroll!

Bonnie has been a dedicated surf lifesaver since she was five, progressing through Nippers and mainstream competition before making her debut in Adaptive Sport at the 2025 Australian Life Saving Championships. Competing in six youth girls’ events, she took home three gold and three silver medals – an incredible achievement for her first year!

Bonnie’s talent doesn’t stop at the beach. She’s also represented Victoria in multiclass swimming, athletics and cross country, earning national medals along the way. Her determination, trailblazing spirit and achievements make her a true role model for young athletes of all abilities.

Congratulations, Bonnie – what a year! 🎉🌊💪

This award is proudly sponsored by Protect.