RESILIENCE and determination are what has earned Ballarat twins James and Louise Pendred nominations in this year\u2019s Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards.<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old twins are both up for the Marg Angel Junior Sportsperson of the Year title for their achievements in athletics.<\/p>\n
Proud parents Julie and Bill said their kids, who both have a severe intellectual disability, have been out on the track since they were five years old.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey had to do some sort of physical exercise and be out in the community. Kids with special needs, they\u2019re a part of the wider community so they have to be around everyone,\u201d Julie said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was challenging at times, but we stuck it out and they were successful in the later years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now competing as seniors in Athletics Victoria\u2019s para-athletics class, James and Louise dominated at the Country Championships held in Ballarat earlier this year.<\/p>\n
James won gold in five of his six events and went on to win another six medals at the state level, while his sister brought home four medals in each competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey both train very hard,\u201d Julie said. \u201cTo explain \u2018when you run, I want you to do this because of this reason\u2019 you have to demonstrate it to them, and it takes hundreds and hundreds of repetitions to get something right.\u201d<\/p>\n
She described her daughter as having a \u201ckiller instinct\u201d before she began developing serious health issues in 2014.<\/p>\n
Since then, Louise has had cancer three times and undergone radiation therapy and multiple spinal operations. But still, her determination remains.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s out there and taking part, that\u2019s the goal for Louise, to be out there and having some fun. She has some friends that cheer her on and they\u2019re just great,\u201d Julie said.<\/p>\n
For the first time, Louise has qualified for the national Special Olympics, to be held in Launceston next year. Her brother is also hopeful for a spot in four events.<\/p>\n
Julie said it was a great honour for her children to be considered for the award, and she didn\u2019t know what to expect when she put their names in the running.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought I\u2019ll put it in and see what happens. There are so many athletes with disabilities out there to be considered, but when Disability Sport and Recreation phoned me and told me I think I started crying,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking at the other two finalists, they\u2019re top athletes. For James and Louise to be considered alongside them is just fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf James and Louise don\u2019t win this award, it\u2019s not going to bother them,\u201d Bill said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know a lot of para-athletes, we know how hard it is and whoever wins it is going to be deserving it.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
RESILIENCE and determination are what has earned Ballarat twins James and Louise Pendred nominations in this year\u2019s Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards. The 19-year-old twins are both up for the Marg Angel Junior Sportsperson of the Year title for their achievements in athletics. Proud parents Julie and Bill said their kids, who both have […]<\/p>\n