UNSW Sport is proud to be partnering with Wheelchair Sport NSW/ACT for 2024, aligning with the strong commitment of UNSW to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
UNSW Sport is proud to be partnering with Wheelchair Sport NSW/ACT for 2024, aligning with the strong commitment of UNSW to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Established in 1961, Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT is a Charitable Sporting Organisation with a mission to change the lives of people living with a disability through participation in sport. This partnership will support the delivery of Wheelchair Sport NSW/ACT programs that focus on engaging individuals to be physically active in safe and inclusive environments, including the GIO Oz Day 10K; Junior Wheelies Holiday Camps; HER Sports program encouraging the participation of girls and women in sport and the Rolling Rainbows LGBTQ+ inclusion program; Wheelchair Basketball Club Challenge Season; Wheelchair Rugby Club Challenge and Inclusion Weekend Festival.
January 26 saw the GIO Oz Day 10k held for the 35th year in The Rocks, Sydney, featuring elite wheelchair athletes from all over the world. With the streets of Sydney closed off, and live broadcast on Kayo, this event demonstrated the opportunity that exists to increase the exposure of athletes living with a disability. Athletes encountered the toughest of race conditions, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees shortly after the race commenced at 8:30am, and a difficult uphill section that the athletes had to navigate at the end of each lap of the three-lap course. Observing each of the athlete’s perseverance and determination was truly inspiring as they forced themselves to the finish line. The importance of races like this was highlighted by female winner (for the 10th time!), Australian Paralympian, Madison De Rozario. Madison reflecting after her win how the GIO Oz Day 10K is for many athletes living with a disability their first opportunity to compete on a world-class stage whilst on home soil, and why many athletes come back to compete year after year. Sho Watanabe from Japan was the male winner.
UNSW Sport are looking forward to positively impacting many athletes living with a disability in partnership with Wheelchair Sport NSW/ACT into the future.
