High-Performance Environment: How Resources Help Our Athletes Achieve Their Best 

The Federal Government’s backing of Australia’s Paralympic Winter Games campaign means the nation’s best Para-athletes will have the technical, logistical and medical support they need to produce their best when it counts most.  

The Federal Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, visited a national camp for Australia’s Para-alpine skiing and Para-snowboard squads in the NSW Snowy Mountains, where she announced $2.068 million in additional funding directed specifically for the Milano Cortina 2026 campaign. 

For Para-snowboard hopeful Aaron McCarthy, the financial backing means he can focus all his efforts on making the Australian Paralympic Team and proudly representing the nation on the biggest stage.  

“It’s about having awesome coaches, physios, wax techs – all the little things that take your mind off the snow so you can focus on getting yourself prepared. It means you don’t have to be worried about anything else,” McCarthy said.  

“It would mean the world to me (to compete at the Paralympic Games). Three-and-a-half years ago I lost my leg and I decided right there, in the hospital bed, that I wanted to represent Australia at the Games. Initially it was the Summer Games, but then I started snowboarding and got hooked.” 

Another Games hopeful, Para-alpine skier Georgia Gunew, who competes alongside her guide Ethan Jackson, said she was all-in on reaching her peak for what would be her first Games appearance.  

“The funding is incredible,” Gunew said. “Having all the stuff we need, just taking off any extra pressures allows us to focus on just getting down the hill as fast as we can. 

“We have a lot of training coming up over the next few months. Having the coaches, nutritionists, sports psychs – just everything’s all lined up makes it so much easier for us.” 

Minister Wells said the Government’s investment reflected a deep belief in the power and potential of the Australian Paralympic Movement.  

“We aren’t interested in only helping athletes get to the Games, we want them to thrive while there,” Wells said.  
 
“This funding ensures our athletes have the support they need to prepare, perform and shine on the global stage and strive for gold in Italy.” 

Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Ben Troy added: “Winter Para-sport is expensive and challenging. This funding means we can create that high-performance environment that our athletes need to get that outcome they want, whether that’s a gold medal, whether that’s a podium, whether that’s just finishing for the first time in a Paralympic event.” 

Troy said it gave Paralympics Australia “the confidence that we can make decisions now that are best for our athletes. 

“The support we’ve had from the Federal Sports Minister has been life changing for many athletes and for the Movement.” 

Paralympics Australia is a charitable organisation. It relies on government, business, donations and fundraising to deliver teams to the Summer and Winter Paralympics, provide sport participation opportunities for people with disability and build talent pathways for the stars of tomorrow.  

By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.

Published 25 June, 2025.