Respected ABC TV personality Shaun Giles will next month join the Australian Paralympic Committee  (APC) as its new Communications and Multimedia Manager following an announcement made today by APC Chief Executive Jason Hellwig.

During his 17-year career with the ABC, Giles worked as a reporter and producer in its Sydney, Brisbane and Perth newsrooms, and was part of the ABC’s coverage of three Paralympic Games.
 
He presented the ABC’s Winter Paralympic Games telecasts in Vancouver 2010 and Torino 2006, and covered the athletics at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing during the ABC’s award winning coverage of the 2008 Paralympic Games – the largest by any Paralympic Games broadcaster in the world.
 
Hellwig said Giles’ vast knowledge of Paralympic sport and his extensive background in the broadcast media will add experience and further strength to the APC’s Communications division.
 
“Having worked with Shaun at past Paralympic Games, we know he is an outstanding operator and we couldn’t think of anyone better to take this newly-created role and make it a success,” Hellwig said.
 
“The APC is committed to increasing the level of quality media coverage of Paralympic athletes and Paralympic sport, because we know there is a high demand for it from the Australian public.
 
“The addition of Shaun to our Communications team will provide us with more opportunity to deliver those great Paralympic stories, and engage more with Australians as they continue to support our Paralympians in growing numbers.”
 
In his new role, Giles will help drive the APC’s Communications operations and will focus strongly on building its presence in the broadcast and online media. He will also play an important role in the media operations of the Australian Paralympic Team at the London Games in 2012.
 
It’s an opportunity Giles admits can’t come quick enough.
 
“The APC plays a very important role in Australian sport and I’m really excited about the direction it is heading,” Giles said.
 
“It’s an innovative organisation with a clear vision and the opportunity to get involved in some of the tremendous things the APC is doing was just too good to pass up.
 
“With London 2012 on the horizon, I see such huge opportunity for Paralympic sport in Australia and can’t wait to make a significant contribution as part of the APC team.”

“Having worked at three Paralympic Games, it is hard not to be inspired by Paralympic athletes and their abilities.” Currently based in the ABC’s Perth newsroom, Giles will relocate to Melbourne to assume the new role which will begin on August 16.