Champion Everyone

Disability Sport Wales Awards

The Disability Sport Wales Awards celebrated amazing Welsh successes across the spectrum of para and inclusive sport.

It is a tribute to the work National Governing Bodies, Local Authorities, and partner organisations have done to genuinely embed the achievements of disabled people into all their award categories, that we believe there is no longer a need for the Disability Sport Wales Awards as was.

There are two awards, however, that we will continue to make in the memory of two people who gave so much of their time, influence, and knowledge to making disability sport in Wales what it is today. Two people who will always be significant to DSW and our journey.

Award Categories previously awarded:

Athlete of the Year Award

(Historically divided into Male and Female Athlete of the Year Awards)

This award recognised the outstanding achievement of an Athlete of the Year ina given year or season. This category is restricted to athletes who have competed at a Paralympic, World, Deaflympic, Special Olympic, INAS, European or Commonwealth Games during a given year or a season.

insport Award

(previously called insport Organisation of the Year and was expanded from insport Club of the Year)

This award recognised the outstanding achievement of an inclusive Club, Organisation or programme during a given year or season. The organisation demonstrated commitment to, and growth around the principles of inclusion while working towards one of the insport programmes to increase the opportunities to disabled people.

Inspiring My Journey Award

The Inspiring My Journey Award was designed to recognise the achievements of an individual, and reward the people who've inspired them. Someone who has experienced success (at any level) within their sport or activity can say thank you to up to five people who have played a significant role in their journey.

Transforming Lives Award

The Transforming Lives Award was designed to recognise the achievements of an individual who did exactly as the name suggested; transformed lives. The award was an open categeory for anyone: coaches, volunteers, teachers... anyone who put their energy into improving the landscape of disability sport in Wales, whether that be at a personal, club, national or international level. Sport is full of unsung heroes. The Transforming Lives Award sought to sing their praises.

History of the Disability Sport Wales Awards

2024

Winners of the 2023 Jim Munkley Lifetime Achievement Award and Emerging Athlete of the Year were announced during the Celebrating Paris Charity Dinner on October 4th 2024.

Emerging Athlete of the Year Award and recipient of the Gareth John Bursary
WINNER - Meghan Willis
RUNNERS UP - Rebekah Knight, Jac Sheehan
Jim Munkley Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNER - Dot Gallagher

2023

Winners of the 2023 Jim Munkley Lifetime Achievement Award and Emerging Athlete of the Year were announced during the We Are Disability Sport Wales Charity Gala on October 19th 2023.

Emerging Athlete of the Year Award and recipient of the Gareth John Bursary
WINNER - Rhys Darbey
RUNNERS UP - Funmi Oduwaiye, Tomi Roberts Jones, Grace Williams
Jim Munkley Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNERS - Jayne Osman and Sue Robinson

2022

Winners of the 2022 Awards were announced during an online broadcast on June 24th 2022.

Watch the 2022 Awards

2021

As sport was heavily impacted ty the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic which began to seriously affect Wales in 2020, the 2021 Disability Sport Wales Awards recognised achievements which spanned two years. Winners of the 2021 Awards were announced during an online broadcast at on April 9th 2021.

Watch the 2021 Awards

2019

The Disability Sport Wales Awards 2019 were presented at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

insport Club of the Year sponsored by Strachan Sports Travel
WINNER - Twisters South Wales Trampoline Club
RUNNERS UP - Llanelli Warriors Club, Valleys Gymnastics Club
Inspring My Journey Award sponsored by Admiral
WINNER - John Wilson, Linda Evans, Marilyn Darney and Port Talbot Ladies Bowls Club for inspiring Julie Thomas
RUNNERS UP - Elan Williams, Richard Evans
Emerging Athlete of the Year Award sponsored by General Dynamics UK
WINNER - Lily Rice
RUNNERS UP - Joshua Stacey, Benjamin Pritchard
Male Athlete of the Year sponsored by Sinclair Group
WINNER - Philip Pratt
RUNNERS UP - James Ball, Matt Bush
Female Athlete of the Year sponsored by Cardiff Metropolitan University
WINNER - Menna Fitzpatrick
RUNNERS UP - Hollie Arnold, Olivia Breen
Jim Munkley Lifetime Acheivement Award
WINNER - Dilys Price

2018

The Disability Sport Wales Awards 2018 were presented at the Vale Hotel, Hensol.

Emerging Athlete of the Year Award sponsored by General Dynamics UK
WINNER - Chris Lloyd
RUNNERS UP - Benjamin Pritchard, Fran Smith
Transforming Lives Award sponsored by Admiral
WINNER - Mair Eluned
RUNNERS UP - John Pritchard, Neil Roberts
insport Club of the Year sponsored by Arriva Trains Wales Trenau Arriva Cymru
WINNER - Bangor Gymnastics Club
RUNNERS UP - Aberystwyth Basketball Club, Cardiff City Table Tennis Club
Male Athlete of the Year sponsored by Genero
WINNER - James Ball
RUNNERS UP - Jordan Howe, Kyron Duke
Female Athlete of the Year sponsored by Strachan Sports Travel
WINNER - Olivia Breen
RUNNERS UP - Hollie Arnold, Jodie Grinham
Lifetime Acheivement Award
WINNER - Jim Munkley MBE (posthumously awarded)

2017

The Disability Sport Wales Awards 2017 were presented at the Vale Hotel, Hensol.

Emerging Athlete of the Year Award sponsored by General Dynamics UK
WINNER - Menna Fitzpatrick
RUNNERS UP - Julie Thomas, Matthew Williams
Transforming Lives Award sponsored by Arriva Trains Wales Trenau Arriva Cymru
WINNER - Debbie Bashford
RUNNERS UP - Gwenan Williams, Heather Sargent
insport Club of the Year sponsored by Engagesport
WINNER - Rebounders Trampoline Club
RUNNERS UP - Aberystwyth Basketball Club, Rhiwbina Squash and Racketball Club
Male Athlete of the Year sponsored by Genero
WINNER - Rob Davies
RUNNERS UP - Aaron Moores, Aled Sion Davies, Phil Pratt
Female Athlete of the Year sponsored by Strachan Sports Travel
WINNER - Hollie Arnold
RUNNERS UP - Denise Smith, Jodie Grinham, Rachel Morris, Sabrina Fortune
Lifetime Acheivement Award
WINNER - Roy Court

2016

The Disability Sport Wales Awards 2016 were presented at the Vale Hotel, Hensol.

Transforming Lives Award sponsored by Admiral
WINNER - Lee Coulson
RUNNERS UP - Ieuan Coombes, John Wilson
insport Club of the Year sponsored by Total Teamwear
WINNER - Ynys Môn Gymnastics Club
RUNNERS UP - Special Olympics Cardiff and Vale Kayaking Club, West Wales Cycle Racing Team
Emerging Athlete of the Year Award sponsored by General Dynamics UK
WINNER - Tom Matthews
RUNNERS UP - Menna Fitzpatrick, Harri Jenkins
Male Athlete of the Year sponsored by Genero
WINNER - Aled Sion Davies
RUNNERS UP - Robert Davies, Jacob Thomas
Female Athlete of the Year sponsored by Strachan Sports Travel
WINNER - Hollie Arnold
RUNNERS UP - Fran Bateman, Sabrina Fortune
Lifetime Acheivement Award
WINNER - Jeff Savory