Fourteen year old Gary  Donoghue  juggles two disabilities, verbal dyspraxia and a disorder of attention, motor planning and perception, but he hasn’t let that hold him back. Sport started as an outlet for the teenage boy but now it has become a major part of his life.

“I just push myself and think I can do better than anyone else,” he said.

“It feels good and it gets you to try your best and all that and to step up your game.”

The competitive softballer has been selected in the Penrith City's under 17s representative team and has also played with the under 19s at an Australia Day tournament this year.

His mother, Sharlene Smith, says Gary has increasingly gained confidence and self-belief since he started competing.

“I can't even describe the feelings that I feel,” she said.

“He loves his sport so much and he always gives 100 per cent and to see him doing something that he loves… I’ve got photos of him at home running and he’s got a smile on he’s face while he’s running.”

Along with 38 other sick, disadvantaged or special needs children, Gary has also been awarded a Variety Children's Charity scholarship.

Variety chief executive officer Tam Johnston said Gary, who is due to compete in both representative softball and cross country running in the coming weeks, is a perfect example of children being the best they could be despite hadicaps