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Some of the nation’s top Paralympians, including athletics star Madison de Rozario and swimming World Champion Rowan Crothers, joined a host of Paralympics Australia’s sponsor partners at a relaxed function in Sydney on Thursday night to mark a year of growth, achievement and aspiration.

Representatives from a range of Paralympics Australia’s major partners, suppliers and official sponsors – including BUPA, which just last week was announced Official Healthcare Provider to the Australian Paralympic Team – mingled with members of Australia’s Paralympic Teams, including Beijing 2022 Winter Games representatives Rae Anderson and Sam Tait, who were interviewed by Australian Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin.

Also enjoying the night were Gordon Allan (cycling), Jake Lappin (athletics), Dylan Littlehales (canoe), Georgia Munro-Cook (wheelchair basketball) Brodie Smith (goalball) and Eliza Stankovic-Mowle (athletics). Boccia star Jamieson Leeson and ramp assistant, her mother Amanda, were also present before leaving on Friday to compete at the World Boccia Championships in Brazil.

Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Catherine Clark thanked PA’s partners for the vital roles they play in supporting our Para-athletes and pursuing PA’s broader goals.

“With the Winter Paralympics, World Championships in multiple sports, the Commonwealth Games and other major events globally, it’s been a frenetic year in which our Australian Para-athletes achieved incredible results and enhanced our reputation as ‘Australia’s most loved team’,” Clark said. “They’ve upheld the values of pride, trust and respect we’ve become renowned for.”

Clark talked about plans for working together with corporate partners to create equal opportunity for people with a disability to realise their potential in sport or other cultural, economic, environmental or social pursuits.

“For our committed partners – the people in this room and your colleagues – it will be our shared commitment and passion for inclusion, equity and excellence, and for the role sport can play in our society, that will bring our bold vision for the future into reality,” she said.

“The next 12 months are going to be some of the busiest and most important in our organisation’s history as we continue to build on the foundation we have already put in place for Paris 2024 and beyond.

“On behalf of Paralympics Australia, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks for your ongoing support. So much of the success of the Australian Paralympic Team and the sustainability of our Paralympic Movement depends on it.”

By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 2 December 2022