Specialist Advisors Appointed To Keep Breaking Down Barriers

The progress of Australia’s sporting system towards equity and excellence in Para-sport will be boosted by the appointment of a team of specialist advisors working within the nation’s institutes and academies of sport. 

The four new Para Sport and Classification Advisor roles are a triumph of collaboration between Paralympics Australia, the Australian Sports Commission and state-based Para Sport Units, which have been established in five states and the Northern Territory. Facilities in Tasmania and the ACT are in development. 

The Para Sport Unit network is a key ingredient in the historic Para Uplift program, which was initiated with the release of Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy, designed to address systemic barriers to entry and progression for Para-athletes. 

“These Para Sport and Classification Advisor roles, which are being delivered by Paralympics Australia, are a prime example of how the system is working together to address the obstacles people with a disability face to get involved in sport and potentially progress towards elite level competition,” said Kara Retford, Paralympics Australia’s Classification Lead, National Institute Network Support.  

“The advisors will play a crucial role in harmonising the classification system by educating and supporting athletes, the allied health community and staff within the State Institutes and State Academies of Sport. Essentially, it’s about making the classification system easier to navigate and more accessible and efficient.  

“It will also enable us to use classification data and insights to guide our talent identification and talent transfer, which means advising athletes on where they might be best placed to maximise their opportunities and, in turn, maximise our medal opportunities at Brisbane 2032 and beyond.” 

The Advisors will be embedded within the Para Sport Units, with one in Western Australia, one working between Queensland and the Northern Territory, one across NSW and ACT and one between Victoria and Tasmania. South Australia has already made an appointment to a similar role.  

Retired Paralympian Brad Scott, now the Para Unit Lead at the Western Australian Institute of Sport, said the value of having a specialist advisor embedded at the WAIS Para Sport Unit was in “demystifying” the process of classification, which is the foundation of fair competition in Para-sport.  

“There’s a lot of confusion and misconceptions around classification, so it’s going to be great for us to have someone who can not only educate but help support athletes to be prepared for when that moment comes,” Scott said.  

“By knowing what to expect and being prepared for whatever the outcome is can give an athlete reassurance.” 

The Advisors will also play a part in deciding who needs to be classified. For instance, if classification is identified as a priority for an athlete, the Advisor may be able to fast-track the process. Alternatively, the preference may be to help an athlete get involved in sport with classification to take place later.  

Scott said the Advisor would be an asset also in educating the community, including those who conduct classification, and developing awareness of pathways.  

“The allied health community is where most athletes have their first contact of knowing what Para-sport may be,” he said. “If they are pointed in the right direction from the very beginning, it makes it a much better experience. 

“At the end of the day, we just want to make sure that people who have questions know who to ask. Because, historically, so often when people have had questions, they didn’t know who to ask and the conversation would stop.” 

At the Northern Territory Sports Academy, the latest to launch its Para Sport Unit, Jodie Zanini said the introduction of a Para Sport and Classification Advisor would make a huge impact.  

“At the moment, we have very few classifiers based locally, which makes it challenging for athletes to navigate the classification process,” said Zanini, who is the Manager of Para Pathways for the NT Para Unit.  

“These new roles will help raise awareness, build local capacity and provide much-needed hands-on support, not only for athletes, but also for coaches, clubs and sports across the Territory.” 

Zanini said the change opened the possibility of fast-tracking opportunities for participants already involved in the Territory’s Para-All Abilities programs in Darwin and Alice Springs.  

“The aim is to empower more people to get involved, whether that means becoming classifiers themselves or supporting athletes through their classification journey,” she said.  

“It’s a truly collaborative approach that highlights our shared commitment to growing Para-sport in the NT. With the right people on the ground, we can open more opportunities and ensure that no one is left behind.” 

By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.

Published 21 August, 2025.