Australian Global Games athletes recognised with Next Generation Athlete Awards.
Fifteen grateful INAS Global Games Brisbane based athletes have been presented at City Hall with a grant from the 2019 Next Generation Athletes Program (NGA) after their selection in the Australian Global Games team.
Established in 2015 and funded through the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust (LMCT), the NGA is a co-operative grant and scholarship scheme between Sport Inclusion Australia and the LMCT.
“The program is an innovative way of identifying and supporting those young athletes with an intellectual impairment currently in the Brisbane metropolitan region, as they travelled on their athletic pathway towards the INAS Global Games – Brisbane 2019,” says Sport Inclusion Australia CEO Robyn Smith.
“With the INAS Global Games being held in Brisbane in October this year, this will be the final LMCT award ceremony in this grant program. But the long-lasting legacy of the Games is seen through LMCT’s wonderful support for accessibility and inclusivity in the sporting environment,” adds Smith.
In presenting the Awards to recipients, Lady Mayoress Nina Schrinner said, “I have never made an Australian team in anything. I can only imagine how it would feel to represent your country. I congratulate you on your enormous achievement and I want you to know that all of Brisbane is incredibly proud of you and all of Australia will be right behind you as you compete at the Games.”
Swimmer Jack Ireland says he “feels lucky and proud that the NGA Program has supported me since 2016. It’s an honour to receive a grant from the Lord Mayor and know that athletes with an intellectual disability are so well supported in Brisbane.”
Futsal team member, Cameron Brazier was also honoured to accept the award saying “I am excited about representing my country in my favourite sport at an elite level here in Brisbane at the Global Game. And because the Games is close to home, my extended family and friends to be able to come and watch us compete for Australia!”
