Sionann Murphy

Sionann Murphy is a keen athlete with big sports dreams – running, swimming and cycling are just a few sports the 10 year old from Unsworth Heights enjoys.

The Halberg Disability Sport Foundation has helped the North Shore local reach her sports goals, including funding for a specialised bike.

Sionann has cerebral palsy which means she has limited use of her right hand and leg.  She received funding through the Halberg AllSports Activity Fund for a custom-made bike to ensure that hand brakes and gears were placed on its left hand side.

The St Joseph’s School student immediately put her new bike to use competing in the Weetbix Tryathlon.

Sionann loves the fact that she can now cycle with her peers and compete in triathlons and in April participated in the Halberg Junior Disability Games in Cambridge.  Sionann joined over 100 athletes at the national three day sports competition for physically disabled and visually impaired young people aged eight to 21 –and won the ‘Athletics Overall – Female’ award.

Always one to give back, Sionann took part in the inaugural Halberg Tri Challenge this year to help raise funds for the Halberg Disabiilty Sport Foundation with her family and friends.

Halberg Disability Sport Adviser for the North Shore, Marcus Laurie, has been extremely impressed with Sionann and her sporting ambitions.

“Sionann is awesome because she didn’t let anything get in the way of accomplishing her dream of completing the Weetbix Tryathlon,” says Marcus. “She used the bike to train and compete in the Weetbix Tryathlon and has amazing drive and goals for such a young girl.”

With her drive, determination and love of sports, Sionann is certainly one to watch!