NSW Government and Paralympics Australia Support Inclusive Sports Program

The New South Wales Government has unveiled a funding initiative totalling AUD$250,000 aimed at fostering Australian Para-athletes and addressing stereotypes surrounding individuals with disabilities in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The investment seeks to enhance disability inclusion within NSW schools, fundamentally reshaping perceptions among the younger generation.

Commenting on the funding announcement, NSW Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper, said: “This initiative reflects our determination to dismantle stereotypes regarding disability while supporting students with disabilities to take part in physical activities.”

“By fostering inclusion and promoting discussions on diversity within primary education, we have the potential to empower both disabled students and their peers, cultivating more inclusive school environments,” he said.

Minister for Disability Inclusion, Kate Washington, added: “When students interact directly with our Paralympians, they glean insights that extend beyond sport, learning about resilience, strength, and the extraordinary capabilities that everyone possesses.”

“Our support for this program is instrumental in reshaping perceptions and nurturing future ambitions for aspiring Paralympians, ultimately building a more inclusive New South Wales,” Washington said.

On the program, CEO of Paralympics Australia, Cameron Murray, said: “This program is rooted in empowerment through inclusion and diversity.

“It enables students to carry forward the lessons of inclusivity from their school settings into their family lives and social interactions, fostering long-term societal improvements,” Murray said.

At the heart of this initiative is Paralympics Australia’s Imagine Education Program, which engages students from year 3 to year 6 across the state in participatory as Paralympians themselves lead the sessions.

These sessions are designed not only to uplift awareness about disability inclusion but also to provide educators with essential curriculum resources that focus on the Paralympic movement, the significance of the Paralympic Games, and the various para-sports.

The program also promotes ‘The Start Line’, an online platform developed by Paralympics Australia that serves as a comprehensive resource for current and prospective Para-athletes, offering essential guidance and opportunities to pursue Para-sport.

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