How the Para Athlete Barrier Fund helped Tudhope shine at Milano Cortina

Para athletes preparing for the Commonwealth Games and other major events are set to receive extra support to address rising costs and performance barriers through a new round of grants opened by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS). 

The Para Athlete Barrier Fund provides grants of up to $4,000 to help offset the costs of essentials including, travel, coaching, and carer and support needs, allowing athletes to better train, prepare and compete. 

The fund is a key initiative of the Australian Government-funded Para Uplift, Australia’s largest ever movement to grow Para sport, which gives more athletes the support, coaching and pathways they need to reach their full potential, not only on the road to Brisbane 2032 but for generations to come. 

The first round of the Para Athlete Barrier Fund, held last year in partnership with Paralympics Australia, supported 122 athletes across 18 sports. 

Among those was Ben Tudhope, who used the grant ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games where he won a historic silver in snowboard cross and bronze in banked slalom. 

“As a snowboarder competing at the highest level for many years, I’ve faced a number of unique and ongoing challenges, particularly as an athlete with a disability living far from key training and competition environments,” Tudhope said. 

“Knowing that I have the backing to train and compete properly helps reduce stress, improve confidence and boost motivation during long periods away from home. This grant helps provide the stability and tools I need to not only maintain my current level of performance but continue to grow, push boundaries, and represent Australia with pride.” 

AIS Director Matti Clements said the experiences of athletes like Tudhope reinforced the importance of reopening the fund. 

“We saw through Milano Cortina that the Para Athlete Barrier Fund gave athletes access to the right equipment, key competitions and training environments, and put the right support around them when it mattered most,” Ms Clements said. 

“For many athletes, this support is the difference between staying in the system and stepping away. Providing the right support at the right time is how we break down the barriers Para athletes face and give them every chance to reach their potential. 

“That is why it is important to reopen the fund now, to support athletes as they build towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and future campaigns.” 

The Australian Government has invested an additional $54.9 million in Para sport - doubling previous investment – to fund the Para Uplift, which aims to make Brisbane 2032 Australia’s most successful Games ever. 

Led by the AIS in partnership with Paralympics Australia, sports and state and territory sport institutes and academies, the Para Uplift has established dedicated Para Sport Units in every state and territory and increased the funding for most national sport organisation Para programs by 75 per cent. The initiative has also led to 150 new Para-athletes across the country being identified and provided support. 

Learn more about the Para Uplift here.

To apply for the Para Athlete Barrier Fund, visit the ASC Grants and Funding page.