Paralympic medal-winning swimmer, and STEPS Graduate Employment Consultant, Marayke Jonkers, presented 22 athletes with disabilities at the second annual presentation ceremony for Sporting Dreams.
Among the athletes was STEPS participant, Amy Deguara, who competes in wheelchair basketball and is currently one of the best female competitors in Queensland. Marayke, the founder of Sporting Dreams, said that the grant presented to Amy would assist with equipment, training and competition costs in Amy’s quest to become a Paralympian. “Amy is a very talented athlete, who has demonstrated a commitment to training and has achieved remarkable success,” Marayke said. “This grant will allow her to focus on training and competing as she works towards her goal of competing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
STEPS featured prominently at the ceremony which was held at the University of the Sunshine Coast late last year, with STEPS sponsoring one of the grants. Amy was presented with her grant by Marayke and STEPS Board President Carmel Crouch.
A Sunshine Coast local who took up wheelchair basketball three years ago, Amy has gone on to gain selection with the Queensland Rockets development team. Amy, who was born with Spina Bifida, travels extensively for her sport, and with the support of STEPS, is currently completing her diploma in community welfare. She recently began work with Wheelchair Basketball in Brisbane.
Marayke Jonkers, a three-time Paralympian, joined the staff at STEPS last year, and said she is enjoying her role assisting university graduates achieve their career goals. “As a graduate with a disability myself I know just how life-changing it can be when an employer focuses on ability instead of disability,” she said. “It’s great to be working with graduates on career planning, job searching and job support – I see in them the same passion for their work that I have for my swimming.”
Marayke won a silver medal in her sole event at the Beijing Paralympic Games – the 150m Individual Medley. She also won two bronze medals at Athens 2004 Paralympics and placed 4th and 6th at her first Paralympics in Sydney 2000. She is now training for London in 2012.
