Para-athletes: We Want You

Athletics Australia is set to intensify its search to find the next generation of Paralympic talent, with its new online talent identification initiative.

While Para-athletes have traditionally found their way to the Paralympic pathway through disability sporting programs or Come and Try initiatives, Athletics Australia is aiming to attract more talent, with a recruitment drive that is more accessible than ever. 

Para-athletes are being encouraged to send in a three minute video of themselves explaining their disability and performing specific exercises. Athletics Australia’s Event Group Coaches will use the information collected through this phase to shortlist athletes and include them in the relevant Paralympic pathways activities, such as information forums and pathway camps. .

Athletics Australia Para-athletics Junior High Performance Coordinator Steve Caddy said the message of the program is simple. If you’re an Australian of any age with a disability who believes they have elite Paralympic potential, Athletics Australia wants to hear from you.

“The Australian Para-athletics Team has a proud history of success at the World Championships and at the Paralympics. Over the last five years our Pathway Program has successfully identified athletes and supported coaches to develop World Champions – we need to continue this investment in identifying and supporting athletes and coaches for future success at Paris 2024 and LA 2028. 

“Our new online drive not only allows Para-athletes of any age, experience level or disability to put themselves forward, it allows athletes in all areas of Australia, even regional areas across any sport to be noticed. We strongly encourage anyone who has the desire to compete at the elite level in the future to send in their applications.”

Para-athletics currently offers 167 medal events at the Paralympic level, and 171 at World Championships, with additional eventsand classifications being considered for Paris 2024.

“Having a disability and participating in sport does not entitle an athlete to compete at the elite level, but there are so many opportunities for Para-athletes and we want to make it easier for athletes to seek them out,” said Athletics Australia Event Group Coach – Sprints & Jumps, Sebastian Kuzminski.

“We know from past recruitment drives that the talent in Australia is strong. The earlier we can identify these athletes and provide them with the information to make good decisions and navigate the Para-athletics pathway, the better our chances are of developing them into elite athletes. 

“Together with my fellow Event Group Coaches I’m looking forward to seeing what’s talent is out there and meeting some of our future champions on the track in 2021.”

Athletes will have until January 14^th to send their video to the designated WhatsApp number listed online. For more information on the application process, click here. 

Posted: 15/12/2020