QAS strengthens Para sport pathways through allied health professional education

Allied health professionals have the power to identify athletic potential and play a key role in finding the next generation of Paralympians. Whether in rehabilitation clinics, therapy sessions, or schools, these professionals interact daily with individuals who may have the ability to excel in para sport.

The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) is working to bridge the gap between health and sport, aiming to more than double the pipeline of Para athletes by enhancing performance pathways and developing world-class Para sport coaches.

Emma Beckman, QAS Para Sport High Performance Manager, presented to OCC Therapy on classification and pathways to Para sport, equipping therapists with the knowledge and tools to spot potential and connect individuals with the right opportunities.

“Classification is a critical part of Para sport – we can’t have the Paralympics without it,” Beckman said. “The biggest misconception is that talent always looks the way we expect it to. But in Para sport, performance potential depends on the type, severity, and presentation of an impairment.”

QAS has also launched a new Para Sport Unit aiming to more than double the pipeline of future Paralympians on the road to Brisbane 2032. The Unit is delivered in partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Paralympics Australia.