Blind Sports and Recreation Victoria (BSRV) enhances the lives of people throughout Victoria who are blind or vision impaired through sport and recreation. Since our establishment in 1977 we have evolved into a small but thriving charity, which is setting the benchmark for blind sport and recreation in Australia. Supporting more than 1,200 members, we encourage people with no or low vision of all ages and backgrounds to lead more healthy and active lifestyles.
As a small non-profit organisation, we have a personal, flexible and inclusive approach, ensuring that we meet individual needs. Through our range of diversified sport and recreation programs for children, adults and seniors, we offer choice and a tailored experience across all life stages. The social nature of our programs help people of all abilities - from beginners through to more experienced and elite athletes - to improve their physical health, while also strengthening their social connections.
Our programs are for all members of the community – and we support all people, regardless of their ability, religion, age, gender, cultural background, sexual orientation or economic circumstances.
As the only recognised State Sporting Association for athletes who are blind or vision impaired by Sport and Recreation Victoria, Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria lobbies government on all levels in relation to programs, infrastructure, facilities and funding for people who are blind and vision impaired.
Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria is a charity registered by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Our Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status means that all donations are fully tax deductible.
Victorians who are blind or vision impaired are able to lead physically active lives by participating in sport and active recreation.
To improve the physical health, emotional well-being and social inclusion of Victorians who are blind or vision impaired by developing and supporting sport and active recreational opportunities.
Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria’s team, Board members and programs have received many awards – some of the more recent of these are listed below.
| Award | Granted by | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Maurice Gleeson OAM receives a Higgins Community Spirit Award. | Member for Higgins, Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah MP | 2023 |
| BSRV Ambassador, Doug Sloan OAM, awarded a Victorian Senior of the Year award (Healthy and Active Living Award) | Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. | 2023 |
| Sport Initiative of the Year Award Finalist - Victorian Blind Tennis Program | Disability Sport and Recreation | 2023 |
| VicHealth Active Recreation Initiative of the Year Award Finalist - Victorian Blind Tennis Program | VicSport | 2023 |
| BSRV’s Virtual Health and Wellness Programs joint winner of the VicHealth Initiative of the Year - Active Recreation, alongside Belgravia Leisure. | Disability Sport and Recreation | 2022 |
| Doug Sloan, BSRV Ambassador, Blind Golf Vic, Blind Golf Aus. awarded the PwC Volunteer of the Year Award. | Disability Sport and Recreation | 2022 |
| Adam Fayad, BSRV Ambassador and Blind Tennis player, won the Masters Sportsperson of the Year award. | Disability Sport and Recreation | 2022 |
| Robert Fletcher, BSRV Ambassador and Blind Tennis player, won the My Sport Live Sportsperson of the Year Award – Community. | Disability Sport and Recreation | 2022 |
| Phoebe Jane and Ross Patterson (Blind Tennis) were Finalists in the Masters Sportsperson of the Year Award. | Disability Sport and Recreation | 2022 |
| Minister's Award for outstanding leadership, awarded to BSRV's Volunteer Ambassadors at the Victorian Disability Awards. | Department of Health and Human Services | 2022 |
| BSRV's Volunteer Ambassadors awarded the Volunteer Award at the Victorian Disability Awards. | Department of Health and Human Services | 2022 |
| Victorian Disability Awards Finalist – Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria team for ‘Volunteer Award’. | Department of Health and Human Services | 2022 |
| BSRV's Virtual Health and Wellness Programs awarded the 'VicHealth Active Recreation Initiative of the Year'. | VicSport | 2022 |
| VicSport Peter Norman Inclusion Award Finalist - Maurice Gleeson OAM | VicSport | 2022 |
| BSRV's online fitness programs awarded the 'Health & Wellbeing' category winner at the Tech Diversity Awards. | The TechDiversity Foundation | 2022 |
| Gillian Manson, BSRV’s Vice President, awarded the ‘Higgins Volunteer Community Award’. | Australian Government / Division of Higgins | 2021 |
| Samir Mahir, Volunteer Senior Coach for the BSRV’s blind tennis program, awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year’ at the annual Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards. | Disability Sport and Recreation | 2021 |
| Kaye Speed OAM, BSRV’s Financial Manager, awarded the ‘Everyday Independence Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the annual Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards. | Disability Sport and Recreation | 2021 |
| Kaye Speed OAM, BSRV’s Financial Manager, awarded ‘Medal of the Order of Australia’ for service to people who are blind or have low vision. | Australian Government - Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | 2021 |
| Maurice Gleeson OAM wins ‘The Victorian Spirit of Tennis Award’ | Tennis Victoria | 2021 |
| BSRV’s Victorian Blind Tennis Program awarded ‘Most Outstanding Inclusion Initiative’ | Tennis Victoria | 2021 |
| Department of Health and Human Services | 2021 | |
| Maurice Gleeson OAM appointed President of the International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) | International Blind Tennis Association (IBTA) | 2020 |
| BSRV awarded ‘Most Outstanding Inclusion Initiative’ - Victorian Blind Tennis Program ‘Most Outstanding Athlete with a Disability’ finalist - Chris Cypreou (Blind Tennis player) | Tennis Victoria | 2019 |
|
Victorian Disability Awards Finalist – Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria team |
Department of Health and Human Services | 2018 |
| Sir John Monash Awards - ‘Outstanding Advocate of People with Disabilities’ granted to Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria Secretary, Kaye Speed | Monash City Council | 2018 |
| Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation - Lifetime Achievement award granted to Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria President, Maurice Gleeson OAM. | Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation | 2017 |
| Victorian Disability Awards Finalist – Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria team for “Excellence in increasing participation” | Department of Health and Human Services | 2015 |
| National Disability Awards Finalist - Maurice Gleeson OAM | Department of Social Services | 2015 |
