Hello! I’m Julie, and I’m excited to be representing Australia as part of the basketball and soccer team for the World Dwarf Games later this year.

I have hypochondroplasia, the second most common form of short stature, meaning my arms and legs are shortened. Growing up, I was never a fan of playing sport because I couldn’t keep up with my peers. When I found out about the World Dwarf Games and participated in my first training camp, it was such a joy being able to play sport against other athletes of short stature on a level playing field.

The World Dwarf Games are held every four years and are effectively the Olympics for people of short stature. They’re a fantastic, yet very rare, opportunity for people of short stature to compete in sports against other short statured athletes. 

The games will be held in Cologne in Germany from the 28th of July to the 5th of August later this year. It’s such a privilege to be representing Australia as part of the basketball and soccer team. 

Unlike the Olympics and Paralympics, we don’t receive any government funding or sponsorship. We have to fund our own way to the games, including training costs, flights, uniforms, meals, and accommodation, which is very expensive.

So I’d really appreciate any donations to help raise funds for me and Team Australia. Let’s spread the word and raise awareness about the biggest sporting event for people of short stature in history!

Thank you!!