Queensland Government Marks One Year Of Para Unit
- Crisafulli Government marks one year of the Queensland Academy of Sport's (QAS) Para Unit.
- Para Unit has already identified and supported 42 Para-athletes across 17 sports.
- The Unit aims to more than double numbers by 2029, ensuring Queensland is a world leader in Para sport.
- After 1200 days of Labor's Games Chaos, the Crisafulli Government is getting the Games back on track and delivering a plan for Queensland's future.
The Crisafulli Government is backing Queensland athletes in the push to become a Paralympic powerhouse ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Queensland Academy of Sport's (QAS) Para Unit was launched by the Crisafulli Government one year ago and has already identified 42 Para-athletes across 17 sports, with 22 competing nationally and eight internationally.
The QAS currently supports 103 Para-athletes in total and aims to more than double numbers by 2029, ensuring Queensland is not just ready for the 2032 Paralympic Games, but competitive for decades to come.
It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future and getting the Games back on track after 1200 days of Labor's Games Chaos.
Delivered in partnership with the Australian Institute of Sport and Paralympics Australia, the Para Unit is overhauling participation pathways, strengthening talent identification, and fast-tracking the development of world-class Para-sport coaches.
The Crisafulli Government delivered the transition of the QAS to a statutory in July 2025, a year faster than the timeline proposed by the former Labor Government, which has empowered it to operate more independently and effectively.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the Para Unit's progress showed Queensland's status as the gold standard for Para-sport.
"We want Queensland to be a world leader in Para-sport, and we are proud of the success that the QAS has achieved in just one year," Minister Mander said.
"There are more than 160 known systemic obstacles preventing Para-athletes from entering or progressing through high-performance sport, barriers that the Para Unit is breaking down through innovation and clear pathways.
"We're already seeing success stories from Para-unit athletes such as Tom Walvin in the Australian Road Championships or Paralympic Winter Team hopeful Georgia Gunew representing what is possible for our para-athletes.
"We want the 2032 Paralympic Games to inspire the next generation of sporting stars, showing young people of all abilities that resilience, teamwork and ambition can take them further than they ever imagined."
Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells said the Australian Government supported more Para-athletes than ever before.
"We have delivered a record $54.9 million in additional Para sport funding, doubling the existing support," Minister Wells said.
"In addition to the incredible work being done into Queensland through the QAS, the record investment has made a real difference to Para-athletes across the country.
"The 8 new Para Sport Units are now supporting 150 new Para-athletes, while the AIS and Paralympics Australia have delivered funding boosts to more than 100 current and former Paralympians.
"We are not only creating opportunities for athletes to represent our country with pride in the Brisbane 2032 Games but also creating a legacy to reshape how all Australians look at disability in this country."
Queensland Academy of Sport CEO Troy Ayres said the Para Unit had already laid the strong foundations for the next generation of elite athletes, some who may have never realised a pathway existed for them.
"What's really powerful are the stories already emerging. Athletes who've experienced life-changing situations are finding new opportunities through the Para Unit, while others, who never imagined themselves in sport are being given the chance to try, grow and excel, supported every step of the way," Mr Ayres said.
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/104461
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