Past Ambassadors

2025 Ambassador

Sasha White

Sasha was the recipient of The Challenge Games Queensland Pacific Metals Excellence in Sport Support Award in 2024, recognising her outstanding dedication and achievements in athletics. In 2024, Sasha represented the Regional Australia Team at the Oceania Championships in Fiji, where she earned bronze medals in the 100m, 200m, and long jump. Her achievements were further recognised at the Athletics North Queensland Awards Night, where she was named Female Para-Athlete of the Year. Sasha represented Australia at the Deaflympics in Tokyo in November, 2025—an extraordinary accomplishment. 

2024 Ambassador

Carly Salmon
Para-athlete and Captain of the Para Matildas (Australian Institute of Sport, sponsored by Nestlé).
Carly inspired participants by sharing her journey and encouraging students to pursue their sporting dreams.

2023 Special Guest

George Logothetis
Head Coach of the Australian National Table Tennis Team.

Following his visit, table tennis—including Swish table tennis (for vision-impaired participants)—was introduced to The Challenge Games program, giving students new opportunities to participate.

2022 Ambassadors (Invictus Games Representatives)

We were honoured to welcome three members of the Australian Invictus Games Team:

• Shane Bramley (Co-Captain)
  • Gold – Discus
  • Bronze – Wheelchair Basketball (Invictus Games, The Hague)
  • Competed in wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball
• Damien Irish
  • Gold – Discus (Invictus Games 2018)
  • Competed in athletics, powerlifting, indoor rowing, swimming, and sitting volleyball
• Shannon Stewart
  • Medalist – Wheelchair Rugby (Warrior Games 2019)
  • Competed in archery, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair rugby

All three ambassadors attended the Opening Ceremony and were available throughout the event to support and engage with participants and families.

2016 Ambassador

Richard Colman
Paralympian (Athletics & Track Racing)

• Paralympic Gold – Athens 2004
• Gold – 800m, London 2012

Richard attended prior to competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Young Ambassadors (Past Students)

Lyndsey Hendy

• Outstanding achievements at regional, state, and national levels
• Competed internationally, including Oceania Championships and Global Games
• Recipient of the Pierre de Coubertin Award (QLD Olympic Council)
• Trialled for Paralympic selection

Brianna Coop (T35 Athlete)

• Bronze – 100m, IPC World Championships (Doha)
• 4th – 200m (PB)
• ANQ North Queensland Para Athlete of the Year
• Ranked 2nd in Australia and 5th in the world (100m)
• Multiple Paralympic qualifying performances

Both athletes began their journeys at The Challenge Games and returned as ambassadors to inspire the next generation.

2015 Ambassador

Mathew Cameron
A valued guest who supported events, engaged with students, and promoted The Challenge Games in the media.

2014 Ambassadors

• Richard Colman – Paralympian (Athletics & Track Racing)
• Natalie Hodges – Wheelchair Basketball (Australian representative, U25 World Cup)
• Darren McKenan – Wheelchair Basketballer & Athlete (State & Oceania records in seated throws)

2012 Guest

David Nicholas
Paralympic cyclist and World Champion

• Gold – Time Trial, World Championships (Denmark)
• Silver – Road Race
• Multiple international representations for Australia

2012 Ambassadors

• Richard Colman – Paralympian
• Natalie Hodges – Wheelchair Basketball
• Darren McKenan – Wheelchair Athlete

2011 Ambassadors

• Karnie Liddell – Former Paralympian swimmer
• Jarrod Moncur – Australian handcycling champion

2010 Ambassadors

• Blake Cochrane – Paralympian swimmer
• Karnie Liddell – Former Paralympian swimmer