Damien Mortaud from the Suncoast Spinners in Sippy Downs was last week celebrated at the annual Good Sports Awards at Parliament House in Canberra, after being named runner-up of the 2023 National Volunteer of the Year and winner of the 2023 QLD Good Sports Volunteer of the Year.
The national Good Sports Awards celebrate Australia’s best community sporting clubs and volunteers, for their commitment to building healthy and inclusive club environments, and their work with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Good Sports program in tackling topics like alcohol, illicit drugs, smoking, mental health and safe transport.
Damien was recognised for being the beating heart of his club and going beyond the usual undertakings of a volunteer.
Club secretary Sharon Hill said Damien was always looking at new ways to engage people with quadriplegia in the club’s wheelchair programs to ensure they have access to sport.
“As a father, Wheelchair Rugby Australia player, and a person with quadriplegia, Damien shows great resilience and leadership, delivering two wheelchair rugby programs weekly,” Sharon said.
“Damien provides practical learning on game development and fosters a sense of belonging in a truly inclusive environment where participants range in gender, age, and ability, all playing in the one program, together, as equals.
“His knowledge and understanding of the game is crucial to providing a program that meets the needs of its participants, and ensuring there is sport available for people with high physical needs.
“During workshops with students, Damien is open about the barriers he faces in living with quadriplegia yet delivers a fun and interactive program where participants leave uplifted, with a strong understanding of the benefits of inclusive wheelchair sports.”
“Damien is contributing so much to wheelchair rugby as a player and volunteer coach. Suncoast Spinners are grateful for Damien’s contribution to the game of wheelchair rugby in our club and beyond, introducing many people to this wonderful sport,” Suncoast Spinners president, Bridie Kean added.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s QLD manager Martin Milne said Damien should be incredibly proud of his achievements.
“The Good Sports Awards are the ultimate trophy for any Good Sports club. Every year we get to celebrate incredible work being done by dedicated volunteers in community sport and this year is no different,” Mr Milne said.
“These award recipients are shining examples of the Good Sports program which is helping build a healthier sporting nation by supporting clubs to be the very best they can be.”
Working with almost 12,000 community sports clubs, including almost 1,300 in Queensland, Good Sports is Australia’s largest community health sports program. In QLD, it’s managed by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and funded by the Australian Government.
Over the last 25 years, Good Sports has been proven to reduce risky drinking at participating clubs by 37 per cent and has seen a 42 per cent reduction of alcohol-related accidents among Good Sports club members and supporters. It also increases club members’ confidence to deal with mental health or illicit drug issues.
“Whilst local sport clubs can be places where alcohol and other drug-related harms occur, the Good Sports program demonstrates that they can also be the opposite – and strongly influence positive, healthy behaviours,” Mr Milne concluded.
For more information visit Good Sports Awards 2023 – Good Sports.
