January 14, 2025 Read time - 2 minutes
Members/Partners
The WA Disabled Waterski Club is a long-standing member of WADSA. The club provides valuable opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in waterskiing, fostering inclusivity, skill development, and community engagement.
The Challenge:
The club’s regular ski venue at McCallum Park needed an upgrade. Run entirely by volunteers, with half of the committee members living with a disability, the club excels at providing exceptional waterskiing experiences. However, navigating the complexities of securing government funding required specialised knowledge and expertise. That’s where WADSA stepped in to help, as the club was not eligible to apply on its own.
The How:
The primary goal was to successfully gain funding to upgrade the facilities. This involved working collaboratively with committee members, guiding them through the process rather than completing tasks on their behalf. The club aimed to apply for a Lotterywest grant to fund a new floating pontoon, safety gear, and ski equipment.
WADSA provided support through flexible, face-to-face meetings tailored to individual needs, such as at committee members’ homes. Side by side assistance was offered to draft the application content. WADSA took on the auspicing role, submitting the grant, liaising with Lotterywest, and attending meetings to provide guidance and support during personal presentations.
Key Achievements:
- $61,262 in funding secured through Lotterywest.
- Empowered committee members.
- Enhanced skills and capabilities within the committee
- high-standard equipment acquired to deliver waterskiing experiences for people with disabilities.
The upgrade is due to take place in 2025 which will also ensure:
- A new pontoon, freely accessible to the public, improving river access.
- Enhanced venue safety, fostering a secure environment for activities.
- Increased participation opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
“The Water Ski Club is grateful to WADSA for their continued support to the W.A.D.W.S.C. We have been working together for over 30 years and our hope is to just keep going into the future. Thank you for the much needed help in applying for the grant from Lotterywest. This will see the WA Disabled Water Ski Club continue to provide a place where people with disabilities and their families can come to feel the thrill of water skiing and spend time with friends.”
Karen Anderson – Secretary WADWSC
For membership inquiries or to learn more about the support WADSA offers, please contact Tiffany at [email protected].