More than 140 Paralympians and Paralympic hopefuls will share nearly half a million dollars in direct athlete funding through an extended and expanded AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund, the Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells has announced.

The funding is designed to help athletes with competition travel costs, carer support, childcare while training or competing, technology or equipment, and other essentials.

Minister Wells made the announcement in a speech titled From Playground to Podium – Maximising Success for the Green and Gold. The announcement in Brisbane on Thursday was attended by Paralympians including Raissa Martin (goalball), Chris Bond (wheelchair rugby), Beau Vernon (wheelchair rugby) and Georgia Gunew (Para alpine skiing), as well as Para athletes Sidney Whipp (goalball) and Nathan Jason (Para athletics).

Also in attendance at the announcement were Australian Sports Commission Chair Kate Jenkins, ASC CEO Kieren Perkins, AIS Director Matti Clements, as well as Paralympics Australia Board Director Curtis McGrath.

The Minister announced 144 athletes from 22 sports would share in $427,000 in funding, building on the $361,000 awarded to 122 athletes from 18 sports last year.

“No matter who you are, it takes hard work, dedication and determination to wear the green and gold,” Minister Wells said.

“But that is not always enough. Grit and guts don’t pay the bills.”

The Minister said grants of up to $4,000 will go to athletes across a wide variety of sports, including table tennis, climbing and taekwondo.

“These investments aren’t simply removing financial barriers, they are unlocking potential and helping more Australians achieve extraordinary things,” the Minister said.

“To all the new recipients of this funding: congratulations, and good luck as your journey continues. I will be cheering you on all the way.”

Among the recipients is Paris 2024 Paralympic representative triathlete Anu Francis, who said: “The Para Athlete Barrier Fund has helped me overcome some of the barriers imposed by my disabilities, location and financial situation, and help me to hone my triathlon, cycling, and athletics abilities and race skills that will be essential in defending my world title and world ranking, and in chasing the podium at the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.”

Another recipient, New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Para athlete and Paralympic snowboard medallist Ben Tudhope said: “As a snowboarder competing at the highest level for many years, I’ve faced a number of unique and ongoing challenges, particularly as an athlete with a disability living far from key training and competition environments.

“Knowing that I have the backing to train and compete properly helps reduce stress, improve confidence and boost motivation during long periods away from home. This grant helps provide the stability and tools I need to not only maintain my current level of performance but continue to grow, push boundaries, and represent Australia with pride.”

Paralympics Australia CEO Cameron Murray said the Federal Government’s Para System Uplift was delivering generational change for the nation’s Para athletes.

“People with a disability often face many barriers to participation and progress in sport,” Mr Murray said.

“But, through the historic Para Uplift and the AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund, those barriers are being dismantled.

“Paralympics Australia simply could not deliver our vision to create the most successful era of Paralympic sport in Australia’s history without the backing of the Federal Government.

“The support from Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells in particular has been immense and deeply appreciated by the Australian Paralympic Movement. 

“The expansion of the Para Athlete Barrier Fund is further proof that the Government shares our belief in the power of Para sport and we move forward now with a deep sense of responsibility to repay this support with strong outcomes.”

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