Paralympics Australia is excited to be working with the six Victorian Regional Academies of Sport (VRAS) to reduce the barriers for para-athletes living in regional Victoria.
Through the support of Sport & Recreation Victoria Together More Active funding, Paralympics Australia seeks to identify 25 para-athletes across Regional Victoria and cover the cost of an Individual Membership to the relevant Academy in their regional area. This will provide the athlete with strength & conditioning training, athlete education and arrange of local benefits through the RAS, and additional support from Paralympics Australia throughout the course of the program in the hopes of providing regionally-based para-athletes additional support to progress on their chosen performance pathways.
To be eligible for support under this program, an athlete must;
- Have an eligible impairment for para-sport, based on previous classification or information provided as part of the online expression of interest (EOI).
- Show appropriate talent potential within their sport, as determined by Paralympics Australia, the National/State Sporting Organisation of their sport and the Regional Academy of Sport within their region.
- Be a minimum of 12 years of age, as of 1 January 2021
- Must be living within a catchment area of the Regional Academy of Sport while the program is being conducted.
Please note: Athletes receiving Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) or NSO High-Performance support or funding may apply and be considered, subject to the current levels of support obtained on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Paralympics Australia.
We are now calling on State Sport Organisations to nominate para-athletes within their programs who meet these criteria to submit an expression of interest. All expressions of interest will then be considered by Paralympics Australia, the relevant Regional Academy and the relevant State Sport to determine the successful candidates. An SSO/NSO may complete the expression of interest on behalf of the applicant. All expressions of interest must be submitted by 5 pm, Friday 25 June 2021.