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The Foundation

The Louise Sauvage 'Aspire to be a Champion' Foundation was established by multiple Olympic and Paralympic gold medallist Louise Sauvage in 2000 with seed financial assistance from the Sea Eagles Players Foundation (Rugby League Team).

The Players Foundation annually select two 'causes' in which they actively raise funds throughout the year and donate the income raised to their chosen 'causes'. In 2000 the Players Foundation selected Louise to be a recipient of their fund-raising efforts.

True to her nature, Louise unselfishly decided not to directly accept the income but in-turn put it back to the community through the establishment of her own Foundation.

"Now it's my turn to give something back to sport and to hopefully provide opportunities to aspiring athletes with financial assistance through my Foundation. I have been able to make my dreams come true and I hope that the Foundation can make the dreams of other athletes with a disability become more than just dreams" says Louise.

All income received by the Foundation is put directly back into providing 'cash' grants to aspiring athletes with a disability - Australia's future champions. The Foundation is administered by the Wheelchair Sports NSW on behalf of Louise.

Louise Sauvage OAM

Louise has been a full-time professional athlete since the age of eighteen and spent 14 years traveling the world competing against the best in her sport.

Her sporting success on the international arena and her dedication and commitment to promoting sport for athletes with a disability and the broader awareness of members of the community with disabilities now sees her public and media profile position her as the most recognised elite athlete with a disability in the world.

"I have been competing in sport since the age of eight and I know just how hard it is for athletes with a disability to gain financial assistance to participate and compete in sport. The Foundation is my way of being able to give a little bit back to a career which has given me so much" says Louise of the Foundation.

"The Foundation is all about raising as much funds as we can to be able to put back into the community as much as possible, whilst at the same time raising awareness of athletes with a disability" she goes on to say.

Louise does not draw any financial gain from the Foundation.

A message from Louise

"Sport has given me so many opportunities and a lifetime of memories. I know just how difficult it is for junior and developing athletes with a disability to find the financial support to be able to compete and perform well in their chosen sport and the Foundation enables me to give just a little bit back and hopefully contribute in a small way to assisting future Australian Champions. There is no way I could have achieved the sporting success that I have without the financial and in-kind support of many individuals and organisations.

It has been so exciting for me personally to have been able to award the grants that we have since the inception of the Foundation. This is really something I gain great enjoyment from.

It has been so rewarding for me to watch the progress and success of the grant recipients over the past few years"

Photograph - Louise and her Mum celebrate Paralympic Silver at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games