Auspire increases support for people with disability with new Ambassadors
In recognition of the International Day of People with Disability on 3rd December, we are delighted to announce Paralympic swimmer, Ben Popham, and Ballroom Fit founder, Darryl Davenport, as Australia Day Ambassadors.
At the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Ben won two gold medals and one silver medal, at just 21 years old. Ben has Cerebral Palsy and often speaks about how organisations and sporting clubs can become more inclusive of people from diverse backgrounds.
He made his Australian debut in 2018 at the Para Pan Pacific Games, where he picked up two gold medals, and then received the Swimming Australia’s AIS Discovery of the Year Award. In 2019, he won a silver medal and two bronze medals at the Para World Swimming Championships in London.
Back in 2011, Ben was selected as the Little Telethon Star, playing a leading part in Western Australia’s annual Telethon fundraiser.
Multiple DanceSport champion, Darryl Davenport, has been teaching ballroom dancing for more than 30 years. In 2017, he founded Ballroom Fit to provide classes to seniors, people with disabilities and people in aged care.
In 2019, Darryl established Para and Ability Dance WA – a not-for-profit supporting dancers living with a disability. Through his work with different services and facilities, he has provided dancing opportunities for people in wheelchairs, individuals with autism or other intellectual disabilities, and people with a visual impairment.
In 2021, he received the Community Citizen of the Year Award for the City of South Perth.
“I am thrilled to welcome two such inspiring individuals as Ambassadors,” said Auspire CEO, Morgen Lewis. “To have one extremely talented young sportsman succeed in the face of adversity, and a champion dancer using his skill and experience to provide classes to people with a range of disabilities, supports our vision for an inclusive Australia where everyone is given an opportunity.”