New Para Sport Unit launched at Western Australian Institute of Sport

Australia’s fifth dedicated Para Sport Unit has been launched at the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) in Perth. The launch of this dedicated centre for Para athletes and sports marks a continuation of the movement to make Australia a leading Para Sport nation by Brisbane 2032.

The WAIS Para Sport Unit, backed by $2.3 million from the Australian Sports Commission’s (ASC) High Performance arm, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), $620,000 from WAIS, $620,000 from the Western Australian Government, and further investment from Paralympics Australia,  will allow more Para athletes opportunities in sport.

It’s the fifth Para Sport Unit to be established across the country as part of the Para Uplift, following the opening of facilities at the Victorian Institute of Sport, New South Wales Institute of Sport, Queensland Academy of Sport and South Australian Sports Institute.

Funded by a record $54.9 million in additional Para sport funding from the Australian Government, the Para Uplift is also addressing better classification opportunities and specialised coaching and performance support.

ASC Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements officially opened the unit in Perth alongside WAIS Chief Executive Matt Fulton, Paralympics Australia Head of Performance Strategy Elise Rechichi and athletes, including Paralympians Sally Pilbeam, Jackson Hamilton, Rhiannon Clarke and Ben Popham.

Clements noted “we have now launched five Para Sport Units in six months, meaning our athletes are more supported than ever before.

“Australia is leading the world when it comes to providing our Para athletes the environment and resources they need to reach their full potential. We want Brisbane to be our best ever Paralympic Games and the Para Uplift and sport units are key to achieving that goal.

“On behalf of the Australian Institute of Sport, Paralympics Australia, National Institute Network and sports, I would like to thank the Australian Government for investing in our athletes to Win Well and inspire Australians on the road to Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

The Para Uplift is an initiative born from Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy (Win Well Strategy), a movement made up of 62 sports and sporting organisations bound by the vision to Win Well and make the most of the generational opportunity of hosting the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Para Sport Units will also be launched in the Northern Territory and Tasmania over the coming months.

To learn more about the Win Well Strategy and Para Uplift, visit www.winwell2032.au