Sport Inclusion Australia congratulates Ms Smith on the result of the vote that occurred during the weekend.
Sport Inclusion Australia Victorian project manager Michael Thompson said Ms Smith followed in the footsteps of Sport Inclusion Australia founder and mentor Marie T Little OAM, who served on the IPC Governing Board from 1993 to 1997.
“Nominated by Virtus, Robyn's campaign was also supported by Paralympics Australia and the Oceania Paralympic Committee,” Mr Thompson said.
“Having been nominated in 2017, and being unsuccessful, Ms Smith worked hard campaigning, trying to connect with as many member organisations as possible — (listening) to them and answering their questions.
“(Ms Smith) ran a campaign with the slogan #EveryoneIncluded (which) it is a call to action that more needs to be done for people with disabilities, and those who are under-represented or come from marginalised regions, to be included in sports.”
Ms Smith said it was an honour to be elected as one of 10 champions of para-sport.
“Thank you to the Paralympic Movement voting members, for giving me this opportunity to represent all of us,” Ms Smith said.
“Under the guidance of president Andrew Parsons and vice-president Duane Kale, we will be stronger together.
“I would like to thank the people who helped me during the campaign, in particular Jock O’Callaghan at Paralympics Australia, Paul Bird OAM, Virtus for the nomination, the team at Virtus and Sport Inclusion Australia, and the Board of Sport Inclusion Australia for allowing me to pursue this opportunity.”
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