Marayke wins outstanding Sunshine Coast Paralympian trophy

30 January 2009

Marayke Jonkers has taken out  one of the major awards at the Sunshine Coast sport star of the year awards.

At the gala black tie event Marayke won the trophy  for the most outstanding performance the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games  in recognition of her silver medal in the 150m individual medley in which she set an Oceania record.

She says it is a great honour.

“As a kid growing up I always saw these awards being announced in the newspaper and dreamed about being up there on the stage one day too. Now I have done it twice, as I also won this award in 2004. It is amazing to see my name on the trophy beside great athletes like Paralympic gold medallists Brendan Burkett and Jeff Hardy

It is also wonderful to see the achievements of Paralympic athletes recognised alongside Olympians and other elite athletes.”

Jonkers was competing at her third Paralympics, after winning 2 bronze medals in Athens 2004.

As sport star of the month for May she was also in the running for the senior sport star of the year award, which was won by Olympic relay swimmer Melanie Schlanger.

The gala awards were held at the Hyatt regency in Coolum on January 30th and guest speaker was league legend Wally Lewis.

Marayke will make her return to the pool in March at the national Championships, after a 5 month break due to illness.

During her time away from the pool Marayke presented the first athlete grants for her charity Sporting Dreams, which helps provide funds to future Paralympic champions.

AMarayke gives grants to young disabled athletes

 Marayke has awarded grants to nine Queensland athletes at the inaugural presentation ceremony for her new foundation  for disabled athletes ‘Sporting Dreams’ on Saturday November 15.

Handcyclist Darron Shields, from Warana and Sprinter Lucy Larson, from Caloundra were among the nine recipients from throughout Queensland, and each received $500 towards their training and competition expenses. Jonkers says they are worthy winners.

“All of the winners are very talented athletes, who have demonstrated a commitment to training and have achieved remarkable success in their sporting careers so far. This grant will allow them to focus on training and competing as they work towards their goal of competing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games,” she said.

Marayke won a silver medal in her sole event at the Beijing paralympic Games, the 150m Individual Medley.

She became paraplegic in a car accident as a baby, but has gone on to study at university, break world swimming records and has even tried skiing and sky diving.

She founded Sporting Dreams in 2008, after winning the Cosmopolitan Fun, Fearless female awards. Sporting Dreams aims to help athletes with disabilities to achieve fun, fitness and personal development through sport and to support future paralympic champions. Jonkers has always wanted to give something back to sport, and to ensure up and coming athletes have the same opportunities she has had.

"Athletes with disabilities train just as hard as other athletes, and experience the same thrill of winning, yet they face additional expenses. A push bike costs $100, whereas a handcycle costs at least $1500. Athletes with disabilities are also great role models, encouraging all Queenslanders to live a fit and healthy lifestyle,” she said.

The foundation provides two level of grants to Queensland based athletes with physical disabilities.Introductory level grants ($250) assist athletes to take up a sport and development grants ($500) are to assist established athletes with training and competition costs.

In 2008, Jonkers awarded 5 developing and four introductory grants, including two to local athletes.

Lucy Larson, who was born without the radius bone in one of her arms, is coached by former Olympian Denise Boyd. The Caloundra High School student  won the 100 and 200m sprint for 15 year olds with a disability at  the Schools athletics State Championships in October.She is now preparing for the Pacific School Games, to be held in Canberra during December.

Darron Shields took up handcycling after he moved to Australia from the UK to study sport science at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Before becoming paraplegic in an accident  he was a triathlete. He has since gone on to become the Queensland head coach for handcycling, in addition to competing  in the Wild West handcyling series in Perth, as well as Queensland and National Championships.

The awards were presented at a gala dinner, held at the Kedron Wavell Service club on November 15.

Marayke is now seeking sponsors to assist with  providing grants to athletes next year.

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Sporting Dreams Award Recipients 2008.

Introductory level grants $250

Developing Athletes Grants $500

Mason Ollerenshaw aged 12.Soccer and Wheelchair basketball. Has cerebral palsy. (Acacia Ridge).   Rachael Dodds - Age 14, . World record holding sprinter who has cerebral palsy.(Hawthorne,Brisbane).   Jarrod Larkins -law Age 15.Seven a side soccer, for athletes with cerebral palsy. (Keperra)   James Steggell Age 14, (Narangba.) Track and field. Has a vision impairment -Cone rod dystrophy.

Darron Shields age 40. Paraplegic Handcyclist (Sunshine Coast)   Lucy Larson Age 15. Sprinter who was born without a radius bone in one arm.(Caloundra, Sunshine Coast).   Morgan McAllister Age 16.Australian record holding sprinter with cerebral palsy.(Burleigh Heads).   Susan Seipel Age 22. Paraequestrian competitor who uses a wheelchair.(Bellbowrie).   Sam Carter Age 17. Wheelchair racer with Spina Bifida (Toowoomba).

 

gage of the Beijing 2008 Paraympics to be best in the world!