Pictured: Ian Bridge coaching Bree Mellberg (Australia). Photo Credit: Badminton Photo, James Varghese
The 2022 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards (VDSR Awards) finalists have been announced. Para badminton is represented across two award categories, including Sportsperson of the Year (Community) and Administrator of the Year.
Badminton Oceania’s Coaching and Development Officer, Ian Bridge, is one of the three considered for the Administrative award, alongside Para badminton player, Duke Trench-Thiedeman (for his contributions to the Ability Para Badminton Club). Other local Para badminton players, Mischa Ginns and Brian Fitzpatrick are in the running for the Sportsperson of the Year (Community) category.
Last year, Ian was also nominated for and won the Carbine Club Coach of the Year at the same Awards.
The awards celebrate the achievements of sportspeople with disability, the coaches, organisations, officials and volunteers who support them, and the inclusive sport and recreation sector across Victoria. Hosted by Disability Sport & Recreation, these awards are an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and strides made in the accessible and inclusive sporting sector.
This special night of celebration will be held Tuesday 8 November on the stunning 21st floor at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Southbank’s Riverside Quay.
Nominations for the 2022 VDSR Awards are for achievements, initiatives, programs, activities and developments that took place between July 2021 and July 2022.
“This year has been a breath of fresh air for our community. Following some challenging times in our sporting sector, we want to focus this year on celebrating how far we have come, what collectively we have achieved and look forward to the year ahead” said Liz Tesone CEO of Disability Sport & Recreation.
“We commend all the athletes and individuals that have been put forward. They have all accomplished so much this year, and we cannot thank enough those who create positive outcomes and connections through their involvement in sport and recreation every day” said Tesone.
“On DSR’s 60th Anniversary, let us celebrate all those who have persevered through the challenges of COVID-19 on our sector and the incredible work over the sixty years done to help and facilitate people with disability to live active healthy lives” said Tesone.
Find out who else has been nominated across the two categories.
My Sport Live Sportsperson of the Year – Community
- Mischa Ginns – Para Badminton
- Brian Fitzpatrick – Para Badminton
- Robert Fletcher – Blind Tennis
Administrator of the Year
- Ian Bridge – Badminton Oceania
- Steve Odgers – AFL Victoria
- Duke Trench-Thiedeman – Ability Para Badminton Club
More information is available on the Disability Sport & Recreation website: www.dsr.org.au/vdsr-awards
