The Australian Sports Commission has welcomed the announcement of the nation’s first Para-Sport Unit which was unveiled at the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) at the weekend.
A partnership between the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), Paralympics Australia and National Institute Network, the Para-Sport Units will provide additional opportunities for people with a disability to be discovered and to provide world-class services which supports athletes on their pathway from identification through to the Paralympics.
The aim is to establish the units around the county, with the initiative made possible through the Australian Government’s $54.9m additional Para-sport funding, doubling the existing support, as announced by Minister for Sport, the Hon Anika Wells in June.
“The Albanese Government is determined to ensure we have more Australians who live with a disability participating in sport as we know that while three in four people with a disability want to play sport, unfortunately only one in four are able to,” Minister Wells said.
“We invest in facilities like this because they will create more Paralympians and more gold for Australia on the path to Brisbane 2032 and those successes create even more pathways for the kids who are inspired by Alexa Leary or Curtis McGrath.”
ASC Executive General Manager of AIS Performance, Matti Clements said: “The record investment made by the Australian Government into Para sport gives us the opportunity to ensure sustainable sporting success that will inspire and motivate Australians for generations to come.
“The sports, the National Institute Network and Paralympics Australia are all aligned on the desire to get the results our Paralympic team deserves as we look towards LA 2028, Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”
“Our focus is to get the right resources to the right people at the right time and the SASI Para-Sport Unit is a great example of the collaboration taking place.”
The SASI Para-Sport Unit will consist of a new team of Para-sport professionals including a Wheelchair Skills Coach, Physiotherapist and Classification Lead, Engineering and Equipment Specialist, Athletics Coach and Learning Design Specialist.
The first staff member to join the unit is Jed Altschwager, who made history at Paris by winning Australia’s first Paralympic rowing gold medal alongside Nikki Ayers.
As the Para-sport transition coach, Altschwager will play a lead role in the identification, recruitment and support of Para-athletes, finding the sport that best aligns with their interests, strengths and skillset.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of Para-sport in South Australia with SASI leading the Para-Sport Unit initiative and I’m pumped that I get to play an official role in it,” Altschwager said.
“As someone who started on the path to becoming a Paralympian at 28-years-old, I think I bring a unique point of view to this position, and I have valuable insights and experiences I can share that will help aspiring athletes to reach the same heights that I did.”
“You need a strong support network around you to make it to the Paralympics and having this unit in place in conjunction with our incredible Mile End facility is a recipe for success.”
Information about Para-Sport Units in other states and territories will be announced over the coming months. Click here and here for more information about the Australian Government’s record investment in sport.
