More than 100 Para athletes backed to chase green and gold dreams

More than 100 current and aspiring Paralympians have received a financial boost to help ease the barriers that can stand between athletes and their dream of wearing the green and gold.

A total of $427,119 has been distributed to 144 athletes across 22 sports through the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Para Athlete Barrier Fund, with grants of up to $4000 helping cover the costs of travel, coaching, childcare, physiotherapy, carers and other living, training and competition expenses.

The investment is part of the Australian Government’s historic Para Uplift, with the additional $54.9 million in Para sport funding extended for a further two years through the record $513 million Win Well funding package announced in June.

Minister for Sport the Hon Anika Wells was joined by recipients including Paralympians Chris Bond, Beau Vernon and Georgia Gunew at the Queensland Media Club to announce the latest funding.

“Our Para athletes are full of grit, determination, and passion – but we know that sometimes that’s not enough to get it done,” Minister Wells said.

“The Para Athlete Barrier Fund helps athletes to overcome challenges that might be hindering their progression or performance by funding essentials like specialist equipment or technology, travel to training and competitions, and access to coaching.

“It’s another way the Government is backing Australian athletes to reach their full potential, creating a pipeline of extraordinary sporting talent in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 and into the future.”

Para Uplift was established in 2024 to create generational change for athletes with a disability and help make Brisbane 2032 Australia’s most successful Paralympic Games.

It has already delivered major milestones, including establishing Para Sport Units in every state and territory, identifying more than 150 new Para athletes and delivering a 75 per cent funding increase to the majority of Para sport programs.

“Every athlete should have the opportunity to focus on what matters most, training, competing and performing at their best. The AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund helps remove some of the practical and financial challenges that can stand in the way of that journey,” Australian Sports Commission (ASC) CEO Kieren Perkins OAM said.

“We want Australia's Para athletes to have the support they need not just to compete, but to thrive, from Glasgow and LA through to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

Among the 2026 Para Athlete Barrier Fund recipients are 14-year-old vision impaired swimmer Mia Hogan and two-time Paralympic sprinter and Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rhiannon Clarke.

The grant is helping ease the financial burden on Hogan’s family, which drives her 660km return trip from Albury to the Victorian Institute of Sport in Melbourne for training.

Clarke used the support to help offset the travel costs of competing and training in Europe in the lead-up to claiming Commonwealth Games gold in the 200m T38.

“Receiving this grant has a direct impact on my performance by enabling me to access international competition in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games,” Clarke said.

“Competing in Europe provides exposure to higher level fields and more frequent racing opportunities, which are critical for refining race execution, building consistency, and performing under pressure.

“Reducing the financial burden of travel allows me to focus fully on training, recovery, and competition, which directly supports performance outcomes.”

The latest funding builds on the first Para Athlete Barrier Fund delivered by the AIS in partnership with Paralympics Australia in 2025, which supported 122 athletes across 18 sports.

Among those recipients was Paralympian Anu Francis, who credit the grants with playing an important role winning gold at both the 2025 Triathlon World Championships and 2026 National Road Championships.

“This funding was the only reason I was able to afford to travel to the National Road Championships, where I underwent classification and became National Champion in the Road Race and came second in the Time Trial,” Francis said.

“The Para Athlete Barrier Fund has helped me overcome some of the barriers imposed by my disabilities, location and financial situation, and help me to hone my triathlon, cycling, and athletics abilities and race skills that will be essential in defending my world title and world ranking, and in chasing the podium at the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.”

The full list of AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund recipients can be found on the ASC grants and funding webpage.