Project Para
Para Coach Engagement in 2025
96 Para HP coaches (from 26 Paralympic sports + Bowls) engaged in at least one AIS-supported HP Coach Development initiative in 2025, which is up from 13 initiatives in 2024. Totalling 112 engagements, this chart represents the number of Para HP coaches that were engaged in HP Coach Development initiatives in 2025.
Upcoming Project Para Grants & Opportunities
Project Para Grant Program Budget and Schedule
A visual timeline plus summary details for each Project Para Grant Program are outlined in the diagrams below.
Project Para HP Coach Development 2026-27 Grant Programs
Additional learning opportunities – Para-specific issues In addition to the above Project Para Grant Programs (funded via the Para Uplift NPP funds), we will also be developing and delivering learning opportunities around a range of Para-specific issues in 26/27. This has been made possible via operational funds provided via Paralympics Australia. Topics will include:
- Understanding the Para athlete in front of you
- Classification for Coaches
- Optimising the Para athlete/equipment interface (for equipment-based sports/coaches)
- Travelling with Para athletes and Optimising the DPE while away.
- Performance Health for Para athletes
The intent is to provide learning opportunities around each topic that can be delivered either generically or customised to meet sport and/or impairment-specific needs.
Connected Coaches / Communities of Practice Connected Coaches/other CoPs will also be re-established/established.
Questions Please reach out if you have any questions HPCoachDevelopment@ausport.gov.au
Currently Open
Individual & Organisation HP Para Coach Development Grant Program
This Grant Program has been introduced to help increase the capability of Para coaches. It provides both individual Para coaches and NSO/Ds and NIN partners (Organisations) with financial support towards a program, project, or initiative that supports either the development of the Individual HP Para Coach (Individual HP Para Coach Development Grant) or HP Para Coaches within an Organisation (Organisation HP Para Coach Development Grant).
Individual coaches can apply for grants up to $6,000 and Organisations for grants up to $20,000.
Applications for 2026 now open
- Applications open: 11:00 am AEDT, Monday 12 October 2026
- Applications close: 4:00 pm AEDT, Friday 9 November 2026
- Assessment of applications: November 2026
- Notification of outcomes: Early December 2026
View the 2026 Individual & Organisation HP Para Coach Development Initiatives Grant Guidelines: 2026 Individual and Org HPPCDI Grant Guidelines
The successful grant recipients for 2025/26 were:
2025-26 Individual Grant Recipients
Name | Sport | Organisation | Grant Amount | Project Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alex McInnes | Para Climbing | Sport Climbing Australia | $6000 | Development of ICDP and access to learning opportunities to support key learning needs |
Sarah Fuller | Para Archery | Archery Australia | $1950 | Access to course delivered by world leading archery coach |
Alexandra Andre | Wheelchair Fencing | Australian Fencing Federation | $5000 | Access to development opportunity with world leading Thai coaches aligned with training camp and competition |
Mel Tantrum | Para Swimming | Swimming Australia | $4780 | Access to the 2026 ASCA World Clinic in Orlando, USA (9–12 Sept 2026) |
Lukas Cannan | Para Athletics (Throws) | Australian Athletics | $3000 | Access to immersion opportunity in elite HP throwing environments in USA and Canada |
Masahiko Motoyama | Para Judo | South Australian Sports Institute | $6000 | Attendance at international Para Judo Coaching course |
Anel Radford | Para Triathlon | AusTriathlon | $2500 | Immersion opportunity in QLD HP triathlon environment |
2025-26 Organisation Grant Recipients
Sport | Organisation | Grant Amount | Project Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
Wheelchair Basketball | Basketball Australia | $20000 | National system alignment project |
Para Athletics | Australian Athletics | $15500 | Blade running/jumping project utilising international SME |
Para Swimming | Swimming Australia | $20000 | KASE profiling project for Para coaches |
Para Canoe | Paddle Australia | $20000 | Momentum 32 project – to ensure alignment & best practice across national system |
Para Taekwondo | Australian Taekwondo | $20000 | Targeted learning opportunities and resource development for Para TKO coaches |
Wheelchair Rugby | Wheelchair Rugby Australia | $20000 | Ongoing individual & collective coach development consultancy with WRA HP Coach group |
Boccia | Boccia Australia | $19800 | Design & develop user friendly LMS to support coach development along pathway – Community to HP |
Para Badminton | Badminton Australia | $1500 | Engagement of international SMEs to support Australian Para Badminton coach development |
Blind Football | Blind Sports Australia | $7500 | Engagement of international SMEs to support Australian Blind Football coach development |
Various Para Sports | Victorian Institute of Sport | $17500 | VIS Para Coach Development Program – ongoing structured learning program, mentoring, access to Para-specific expertise |
Para Triathlon | AusTriathlon | $10650 | NextGen Coach Development project – 5 OLY, 5 PLY coaches across 2 years |
Sitting Volleyball | Volleyball Australia | $14000 | Delivery of World Para Volley Level 2 course to key Australian SVB coaches |
Para Table Tennis | Table Tennis Australia | $8000 | Delivery of communication skills workshop & follow up to key Para TT coaches |
Para Powerlifting | Para Powerlifting Australia | $10000 | Development of Para Powerlifting Coaching video |
Goalball | Blind Sports Australia | $8800 | Facilitation of Goalball coach development piece |
Para Climbing | Sport Climbing Australia | $20000 | SCA Coaching Uplift Seminar – to be held annually to support development of Para climbing expertise across Australia |
Para Snow Sports | Snow Australia | $16350 | Engagement of international SMEs from each sport to support Australian coach development |
Wheelchair Curling | Curling Australia | $2000 | Upskilling of National wheelchair curling coaches by international SME (online) |