Queensland’s search for its next Paralympic stars has gone regional, with the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) hosting its first YouFor2032 Regional Para Testing Day in Townsville.
The July 29 event marks a major step in Queensland’s push to build the nation’s strongest Paralympic pathway ahead of Brisbane 2032, giving aspiring athletes in North Queensland the chance to be discovered.
The milestone follows the rapid growth of the QAS Para Unit, which recently welcomed its largest-ever intake of 24 athletes.
Since launching in 2025, the Para Unit has identified 64 athletes across 18 sports and is on track to more than double Queensland’s pipeline of future Paralympians ahead of Brisbane 2032.
The Para Unit athlete cohort includes Paralympic para-alpine skier Georgia Gunew and Paralympic goalball player Raissa Martin.
“Hosting the YouFor2032 Para Talent Search in Townsville is an important step towards making sure geography isn’t a barrier to reaching the Paralympic pathway,” Mr Ayres said.
“We’re seeing incredible potential right across Queensland. We want to connect people who may not realise there’s a pathway into Para sport and give them every opportunity to compete at the highest level.”
The YouFor2032 Talent Search, driven by RACQ, allows aspiring athletes to complete initial testing through the YouFor2032 app before progressing to face-to-face testing with the QAS Talent team, where they can be matched to sports that best suit their abilities.
Paralympian and QAS Para Unit Lead Blake Cochrane said bringing the program to Townsville was about creating opportunity closer to home.
“For many people in regional communities, travelling to access high performance programs can be a significant barrier. By coming to Townsville, we’re helping remove that barrier.
“You don’t need an elite sporting background. We look for potential and connect athletes with the sport where they can thrive.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see athletes we’ve identified already competing nationally and internationally, and we’re excited to see what this next group can achieve on the road to Brisbane 2032.”
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said with less than six years until the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, identifying and developing future talent across every corner of the State was more important than ever.
“We know outstanding Para sporting talent exists right across the State, and today’s event is about making those opportunities more accessible for all Queenslanders,” Minister Mander said.
“The Crisafulli Government is working to ensure Queensland is a world leader in para sport and in the past 12 months, the Queensland Academy of Sport has expanded its Para Unit to record levels and strengthened talent pathways.
“Taking the first regional Para Talent Search to Townsville is the next step, ensuring future Paralympic stars can be discovered no matter where they live.”
While in Townsville for the YouFor32 Talent Identification event, QAS will also deliver a coach seminar, providing coaches with valuable insights to coaching and professional development opportunities to support our coaches in regional areas on 29th July.
Delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government, the Australian Institute of Sport and Paralympics Australia, the QAS Para Unit supports athletes from grassroots participation through to elite competition while reducing barriers to participation and strengthening Para sport pathways.
As part of the national Para Uplift initiative, the Unit aims to more than double the number of QAS-supported Para athletes by 2028, creating a stronger pipeline of talent for LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
