With the Paris Paralympics set to start next week, Australia has unveiled plans to double the number of Para coaches in the lead up to Brisbane 2032.
Australian Sports Commission Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) wanted Australian athletes to have access to world’s best coaching on the road to the Brisbane Games and beyond.
Ms Clements said “Project Para” aimed to support and elevate coaches currently supporting Paralympic athletes, as well as double the number of Para coaches in Australian sport.
She said the time was now to ensure Para athletes reached their full potential in eight years’ time.
“We all want the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games to be a success and to achieve that we need more coaches,” Ms Clements said.
“While we have incredible coaches supporting our Paralympians in Paris, success in Brisbane will require twice the number of coaches currently working in Para sport in Australia.”
Ms Clements said Project Para was designed in partnership with Paralympics Australia to support the systemwide commitment to reduce inequality for Para athletes.
Four-time Paralympian Louise Sauvage, who is in the final preparations of preparing two-time Paralympic gold medallist Madison de Rozario for Paris, said the role of the coach within high performance sport system was important.
“I have been fortunate to have been involved in several of the AIS initiatives, the AIS Summit Program in particular, which have contributed significantly to my ongoing growth and development as a coach.
“The increased emphasis on support of Paralympic coaches, is both exciting and crucial on the road to Brisbane 2032.”
