First Para Uplift athletes unveiled at QAS
The push to supercharge Australia’s Paralympic success ahead of Brisbane 2032 has taken a major leap forward, with 20 athletes inducted into the Queensland Academy of Sport’s (QAS) newly established Para Unit.
The QAS cohort includes para-track cyclist Kai Sakakibara – the brother of Paris 2024 BMX gold medallist Saya - and Paralympian Hani Watson, with the athletes to now benefit from tailored support at Queensland’s first dedicated Para sport pathway.
The QAS Para Sport Unit is one of five established at sport institutes and academies across the country to provide better classification opportunities, access to fit-for-purpose training environments and specialised coaching and performance support to more Para athletes than ever before.
The units are a central part of the national Para Uplift, an initiative born from Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy (Win Well Strategy) to address systemic barriers to entry and progression for Para athletes and funded by the Australian Government’s biggest ever Paralympic spend.
“All of Australian sport is united in ensuring our Para-athletes have the resources they need to reach their full potential not only on the road to Brisbane 2032 but for generations to come,” ASC Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said.
“In just six months, the Para Uplift has seen five Para Units launched across the country with another three in the works, and more athletes than ever before receive the support they need to win well and inspire Australians.
“On behalf of the ASC, I would like to congratulate QAS General Manager Troy Ayres and the wider QAS team for taking a leading role in driving the Para Uplift and championing our athletes.”
