THE 2011 RON BARASSI AWARD
Glenn was unable to attend the breakfast as he was representing Australia at the Summer Special Olympics in Greece where, as part of the 4 x 400 metre relay team, he had just won a gold medal. MC Mark Thomas told us that Glenn is involved in basketball, tennis, swimming and 10 pin bowling. He is also a volunteer at the Longford Junior Fire Brigade, at Heart Epping radio, the Chalet at Poatina, and with childcare at the local craft group. A busy young man, and a worthy recipient of the 2011 Ron Barassi Award.
THE 2010 RON BARASSI AWARD
THE 2010 RON BARASSI AWARD for a young person with a disability who has pursued their sporting goals with spirit, courage and determination was presented by Ron Barassi to Katherine Reed, aged 21, from SELBOURNE
Working as stable hand and track work rider towards an apprenticeship as a jockey Katherine had an accident in February 2008 which resulted in her now being a paraplegic.
After a three and half month stay in the Royal Talbot Hospital in Melbourne she returned home to take up study to complete year 11 and 12.
Katherine took up wheelchair basketball at the start of 2009 playing with the Launceston group of players. Since then she has represented Tasmania at the Australian Paralympic Youth Games, The Kevin Coombes Cup and The Albury Festival of Sport.
She now plays with the Dandenong Rangers in the National Women's Wheelchair Basketball League. To compete in the league she has to travel to Melbourne for training and games. She has attended an Australian Women's Wheelchair Basketball (The Gliders) training camp at the invitation of the Australian coach.
Katherine regularly travels to the mainland to compete in regional tournaments to get more experience and is now focused on making the Gliders team for the next Paralympic games in Manchester in 2012.
She is always willing to help new players develop their skills. Katherine also speaks in schools, Rotary and Lions clubs about her accident and her goals in life.