Sports Inclusion NSW and Sports 4 All are thrilled to congratulate Robyn Smith OAM on her historic appointment as President of Virtus—the International Sport Federation for athletes with an intellectual impairment.
Robyn’s election is not only a personal achievement, but also a landmark moment for inclusive sport in Australia and worldwide. As the first woman ever to hold the presidency in Virtus’s 40-year history, Robyn brings her trademark vision, drive, and deep commitment to championing athletes with intellectual disability on the global stage.
A Lifetime of Advocacy
For more than 35 years, Robyn Smith has been a tireless advocate for inclusion. Through her leadership at Sport Inclusion Australia, she has opened doors for thousands of athletes, built partnerships that cross continents, and inspired real change at every level of sport. Her work has helped shape national programs, strengthen pathways, and bring new opportunities to athletes who might otherwise have missed out.
At the Virtus General Assembly in Cairo—where members from nearly 100 nations gathered—Robyn shared her vision for a future where no athlete is left behind.
“To stand as the first female President of Virtus is an honour and a responsibility,” Robyn said. “I have a vision to grow and strengthen Virtus membership, to open doors for under-represented nations and athletes, and to ensure sport is inclusive for athletes with an intellectual impairment—adopting the Athlete-first principle in everything we do.”
A Global Family Bound by Passion
Virtus is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee and now represents over half a million athletes across the world. Importantly, 100% of Paralympic athletes competing in intellectual impairment classes enter through the Virtus eligibility pathway—a testament to the organisation’s global reach and vital role.
Robyn’s leadership has already made waves throughout the Oceania region and beyond, particularly in building new programs for women, girls, and communities in the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Initiatives like Included Through Sport and Empower Her Through Sport have not only expanded Virtus membership, but also given more athletes the chance to compete at the highest level.
“Virtus is a family bound by passion for the athletes,” Robyn said. “Our role is to ensure every athlete is seen, heard and included.”
A Milestone for Australia and the Road Ahead
Robyn’s appointment comes at a critical moment as Australia prepares to host the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games. Her presidency cements Australia’s reputation as a global leader in inclusive sport, advocacy, and high-performance opportunity for people with intellectual impairment.
As the NSW peak body, we look forward to working closely with Robyn in her new role and to the new possibilities this brings for our athletes, families, and communities.
Congratulations Robyn—your achievement is a proud milestone for our sector, and we are excited for the next chapter together.
Read more about Robyn Smith’s appointment on the Sport Inclusion Australia website.
