New partnership to boost Australian Para-athletics

A new partnership between Athletics Australia (AA) and Australia’s national disability sporting organisations is set to help athletes with a disability maximise sporting opportunities available across the country.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will see the formation of the Athletics Australia Disability Inclusion Group, comprising of AA and the following sporting organisations:

• Paralympics Australia
• Sport Inclusion Australia
• Special Olympics Australia
• Disability Sports Australia
• Short Statured Sport Australia
• Blind Sports Australia
• Deaf Sports Australia

Together, the group will seek to make athletics more accessible for all Australians with a disability through the development and application of new resources, knowledge, education, staffing and other initiatives.

Particular areas of focus for the Athletics Australia Disability Inclusion Group will be to provide a national pathway for athletes to compete through AA sanctioned multi-class events; acknowledge, support and encourage athletes outside of the Paralympic Pathway to participate in events run by or supported by the various organisations; support the Group’s engagement with AA’s Member Associations and encourage school students with a disability through AA’s school programs.

The group will also share resources designed by the Group with athletics community members including coaches, officials, clubs, volunteers, committee members and parents.

Athletics Australia CEO Peter Bromley said the signing of the MOU was a great step forward toward a common goal of improving outcomes for athletes with a disability and making the sport more accessible for the four million people in Australia who live with a disability.

“We are really proud to be signing this MOU today. The partnership between AA and these seven sporting organisations signifies the start of a new era of Para-athletics and will lead to development opportunities from the grassroots level up,” he said.

“Athletics Australia has a goal to grow the sport of athletics into the largest participation sport in Australia, and that includes ensuring we have pathways for all Australians, regardless of age, gender or ability.

“The signing of the MOU will make it easier for athletes with disabilities who want to get involved in athletics and take the next step in the competition pathway and we’re looking forward to seeing this partnership come to life.”