Team West triumphs as emerging talent shines at Para Futures Cup

After four action-packed days of competition, the inaugural Libby Kosmala Para Futures Cup came down to the wire at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), with just one point separating the top two teams. 

Emerging Para athletes from South Australia and Western Australia made up Team West who were crowned the Cup winners, topping the leaderboard with 1302 points.  

Team North (Queensland and Northern Territory) finished just behind with 1301 points, followed by Team East (NSW and ACT) on 1072 and Team South (Victoria and Tasmania) on 955.  

But the real value of the Para Futures Cup went well beyond the results. 

Organised by the Australian Sports Commission and Paralympics Australia, with support from the National Institute Network, the event was a key initiative of the Para Uplift, a national effort to grow Para sport and create more opportunities and support for current and future Paralympians ahead of Brisbane 2032 and beyond.  

It brought together 70 emerging Para athletes aged 13 to 32 from every state and territory, giving them valuable experience in a multi-sport, high performance environment, alongside coaches, staff and Paralympian mentors. 

Para athletes competed across 12 sports, earning points for their teams while trying new disciplines including athletics, badminton, boccia, cycling erg, goalball, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby. 

Beyond the competition, the event also helped participants connect with one another and build friendships as they progress in Para sport. 

That spirit was reflected in the peer-voted Win Well Cup, shared by Team North and Team East for the way they competed, supported their teammates and contributed throughout the event. 

Adding to the occasion, the event’s namesake and 12-time Paralympian Libby Kosmala OAM was on hand to share her wisdom with the next generation.  

“To get where I’ve got, there’s lots of work ahead. You have to really put your mind to it. Ask for help if you need it and work hard,” Kosmala said, who won 13 Paralympic medals, including nine gold, across her career.  

“You have this magnificent stadium, magnificent facilities, the best in the world here at the AIS in Canberra. It’s fantastic.” 

“Thank you to all the organisers that have given us the opportunity to mix, meet and learn from one another in all sorts of areas.” 

ASC Paralympic Unit Director Victoria Moore said the Cup’s format gave emerging Para athletes a rare opportunity to compete outside their usual environments and showcased the talent progressing through state Para units. 

“To bring all these athletes together and really see that there’s some real potential out there has been really amazing,” Moore said. 

“This real multi-sport, multi-class environment is really critical for Para sport and creating that competitive environment that they often don’t get when they’re siloed in their own context.” 

Delivered initially as a pilot, the Para Futures Cup will now shape future opportunities for emerging Para athletes, and for some, could mark the first step towards competing at the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games. 

To learn more about Para Uplift, visit: www.ausport.gov.au/para-system-uplift