Back To NewsMaximising the potential of Australia’s athletes at future Winter Paralympic Games is the key objective of a new agreement announced today by the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) and Ski & Snowboard Australia (SSA).
Managed by the APC since 1994, the Australian winter Para-sport program will now operate under the direction of SSA in a move that APC Chief Executive Lynne Anderson believes is a positive step.
“The APC is very proud of the achievements of its winter program over many years, but it is a sign of the growth and maturity of Paralympic winter sport that this program is now ready to be managed by a national federation that has a sole focus on winter sport,” Anderson said.
“The APC has total confidence that SSA’s expertise within the winter sport environment will ensure that our current and emerging athletes and coaches receive the support they need to continue their development. “
Under the ‘mainstreaming’ agreement, SSA will assume responsibility for the planning, coordination and delivery of the program, while the APC will provide ongoing support with classification and talent identification.
With the northern hemisphere winter about to begin, Ski & Snowboard Australia Chief Executive Michael Kennedy said he was looking forward to seeing what Australia’s skiers and snowboarders with a disability can achieve on their journey to the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games.
“The APC has grown this program into one of the world’s best and has great confidence that SSA can continue to run the program to a high standard, so that the Australian Winter Paralympic Team continues to flourish.
“We’re excited about what lies ahead and we’re committed to ensuring we can help achieve Australia’s medal target at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Today is an exciting step towards reaching that goal.”
The APC has demonstrated success in mainstreaming Para-sport programs within National Federations, having previously acted as the national body for all elite Paralympic sports. Thirteen Paralympic sport programs have been mainstreamed, while the APC continues to manage elite Para-sport programs for four sports; wheelchair rugby, goalball, boccia and powerlifting.
“We know that the mainstreaming of Paralympic programs within national sports federations has integrated sporting opportunities and pathways for people with a disability within the mainstream sport environment, and normalised Para-sport for participants, coaches, administrators and officials at all levels.”
By APC Media
Posted: 12/11/2015
