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Paralympics Australia congratulates The Hon. Anika Wells MP on her appointment as Minister for Sport and looks forward to working closely with the new Federal Government to continue to transform lives through the power of sport.
Paralympics Australia President Jock O’Callaghan said the Minister undertook the portfolio at a crucial and exciting time for the Paralympic Movement in Australia.
“Australian sport is about to embark on a decade of enormous opportunity, leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Paralympic and Olympic Games, during which we have the chance to affect substantial social and cultural impact,” O’Callaghan said.
“This is particularly true of our organisation which, as the nation’s peak organisation for athletes with an impairment, seeks to advance the values of the Paralympic Movement, promote Para-sport in Australia and be a catalyst for a more inclusive society.
“I look forward to engaging with Minister Wells to establish how best to work together to increase and improve support for our elite and emerging athletes and broaden our programs aimed at raising participation rates in sport among the 20 percent of Australians who live with a disability.”
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Catherine Clark said: “Paralympic sport holds a treasured and important place in Australia’s national psyche. Recent research showed that Australians have a stronger emotional connection to the Australian Paralympic Team than any other national team.
“As we build on our highly successful Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games campaigns, in which our athletes inspired a nation that was doing it tough amid the pandemic, we are resetting our strategic plans to match a new era of almost limitless possibility.
“I wish the Minister well as she begins her new role and I look forward to us establishing a productive relationship with her department as we lay a strong foundation for 2032.”
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 1 June 2022
