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Australian Para Powerlifting has received a huge boost after plans were unveiled for a new high performance training centre on the Gold Coast.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday that the Federal Government will contribute $15 million towards the development of a Gold Coast Titans Community Hub and High Performance Centre, alongside a $10 million investment from the Queensland Government and support from the City of Gold Coast, which has committed the site for the project.
The universally designed facility will also see the establishment of a new high performance base for Australian Para powerlifters within the broader development, bringing together elite sporting programs in an environment designed to support athletes of all abilities.
Kim Ellwood, General Manager at Para Powerlifting Australia, said the new centre will provide significant opportunities to strengthen the high performance pathway for Australian Para powerlifters.
“We are in a very important era for our sport and our program as we continue our work to expand opportunities for Para powerlifters from across Australia to access the coaching, facilities and support they require to reach their potential,” Ellwood said.
“We have made significant progress, with strong backing from the Federal Government and Paralympics Australia, and this announcement today will undoubtedly position our program for even more success over the coming years.
“The Gold Coast holds a special place in Australian Para powerlifting having hosted several of our national championships, so the prospect of a new permanent base there is incredibly exciting for our Para powerlifting community,” Ellwood said.
The Gold Coast holds a special place in Australian Para powerlifting having hosted several of our national championships, so the prospect of a new permanent base there is incredibly exciting for our Para powerlifting community.
“The development represents another opportunity to strengthen the Gold Coast’s reputation as a destination for high performance sport while supporting a more inclusive sporting environment for athletes with disability.
“We are grateful to the Federal and Queensland Governments for their outstanding and ongoing support for our sport, and to the Gold Coast Titans for initiating discussions with Para Powerlifting Australia and recognising what we could achieve together – we’re looking forward to working with the organisation with the shared ambition to pursue high performance success while we contribute meaningfully to the Gold Coast.”
Prime Minister Albanese said the investment would support sporting opportunities from grassroots participation through to the elite competition.
“This investment is about backing sport at every level from children having their first run on the field with their teammates to athletes representing the green and gold on the world stage.”
This investment is about backing sport at every level from children having their first run on the field with their teammates to athletes representing the green and gold on the world stage.
Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells said the Albanese Government was proud to invest in centres like this that will help get more people into sport, particularly women and girls.
“This will be more than a high-performance and training centre; it will be a place for the community, where the next generation of talent will develop and where women and girls will have access to an amazing facility,” Minister Wells said.
Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the investment would deliver a lasting legacy.
“Through genuine partnership across all levels of government, this initiative will provide enduring benefits to Queenslanders for decades to come and a long-term legacy for 2032 and beyond.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the announcement, building on Council’s support for the project through its commitment of the Emerald Lakes site in Carrara.
“Council got the ball rolling by providing the land for the project and this is another great ‘city deal’ where three levels of government work together to get outcomes for our city. The Gold Coast Titans have put a lot of time and money into rugby league and I know that Para sport is also a passion for the Frizelle family. I acknowledge this vision and I’m thrilled to see this come together for the city.”
Gold Coast Titans owners Rebecca and Brett Frizelle welcomed the opportunity to engage with Australian Para Powerlifting as part of the development.
“We are excited by the opportunity to partner with Para sport and its powerlifting program, helping provide athletes with the facilities and support they need as they build towards elite international competitions.
“This is exactly the type of legacy we want this facility to deliver for the Gold Coast and Australian sport more broadly.”
Further details on the facility’s final design and inclusions will be confirmed as planning progresses.
Your Para Sport Journey
Begins Here
Paralympics Australia is only able to continue doing its work driving the Paralympic Movement forward in Australia because of the generous support it receives from Government, Corporate Partners and donors.
The focus continues to be on delivering teams to each Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and supporting Para athletes as they enter and progress through the Para sport system and into their post-sporting careers.
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