Para physiotherapist to help drive the next generation of Paralympic success
In a significant milestone for Para sport in Queensland, the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) has welcomed its first dedica...
A new cohort of emerging Para athletes has taken its first steps into high performance sport following the largest Para talent testing day held in South East Queensland.
The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) has welcomed 12 emerging athletes into the QAS Para Unit, expanding a program that is now supporting a record 57 athletes across Queensland.
The new athletes completed their first gym session at the QAS after being identified through the YouFor2032 Talent Search. Their induction follows a record testing day in August, when 58 aspiring athletes came together to discover where their sporting potential could take them.
Since launching in 2025, the QAS Para Unit has identified 82 athletes across 17 sports, with athletes progressing to national and international competition. The cohort includes Paralympic Para Alpine skier Georgia Gunew.
The program is designed to find Para talent earlier, reduce barriers to participation and connect emerging athletes with high performance coaching, facilities and expertise.
The QAS has also expanded its search beyond South East Queensland, recently holding its first regional Para talent search in Townsville. The event created another opportunity for aspiring athletes to be discovered and supported closer to home.
Queensland Academy of Sport Chief Executive Officer Troy Ayres said the latest intake reflected the growing reach of the QAS Para Unit and the opportunities being created through targeted talent identification.
“The rapid growth of the QAS Para Unit reflects the strength of our talent identification pathways and the opportunities they are creating for emerging Para athletes,” Mr Ayres said.
“This latest intake includes a strong group of emerging athletes identified through the YouFor2032 program. Since launching the Para Unit in 2025, more than 170 athletes have participated in QAS Para testing days.
“Most recently, a record 58 athletes took part in the South East Queensland Para testing day, highlighting the growing interest and engagement in Para sport across the state.
“The allied health network across Queensland also plays a vital role in identifying and connecting aspiring Para athletes with opportunities in sport. Their trusted relationships, expertise and encouragement have been instrumental in helping athletes take that first step and sign up, opening the door to their sporting journey.”
Delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government, the Australian Institute of Sport and Paralympics Australia, the QAS Para Unit forms part of the national Para Uplift initiative.
The program is working to reduce long-standing barriers to participation and progression, strengthen athlete pathways and develop world-class Para sport coaches.
Its key initiatives include the multi-sport Para Development Program, the YouFor2032 Talent Search driven by RACQ, the Gen2032 Para Coaching Program and partnerships across the disability, allied health and education sectors.
With a goal to more than double the number of QAS-supported Para athletes by 2028, the QAS Para Unit is building a broader and stronger pipeline of Queensland talent for the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.
