Lachlan’s incredible Paralympic dream just became (more) real 

Ten-year-old wheelchair athlete Lachlan Reid’s dream to one day represent Australia at the Paralympic Games received two huge boosts yesterday. 

The first was meeting his favourite Paralympian, world champion swimmer Tim Hodge, who shared words of wisdom with the youngster from Sydney’s Hills district while showing the gold and silver medals he won at last year’s Paris Paralympic Games. 

“Set goals, they can be as big as you can dream of,” said Hodge. “And chase goals every day, that’s how you achieve the impossible – and it’s how you can do incredible things in and out of sport.” 

Lachlan, who showed great resilience as the youngest competitor to finish last January’s Oz Day 10K race through The Rocks precinct in Sydney in an impressive 41.03 minutes, explained why sport was so important to him. 

“I like going fast, I’m competitive, and it’s like another world for me,” he beamed. “When I grow up, I want to go the Paralympics.” 

The second boost to his lofty aspiration was the injection of government funding from the NSW Government, Federal Government and Paralympics Australia to allow the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) to create a world class Para Unit. 

While the funding announcement at NSWIS HQ was attended by Paralympic medallists including Hodge, Madison de Rozario, Chloe Osborn, Jamieson Leeson, Mali Lovell and Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian Ellie Cole, the audience also included emerging athletes who could benefit from the unit: Reid, Coco Espie, Aimee Fisher and Ibrahim Ouf.   

They listened intently as NSW Sports Minister The Hon. Steve Kamper MP, Australian Sports Commission Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements, Paralympics Australia’s CEO Cameron Murray and NSWIS Chair Gary Flowers, provided details of how the funding – of which the NSW Government provided $2.305 million of the combined $4.6million – was an investment in the state’s para-athletes to fulfil their dreams. 

The funding aims to get more NSW athletes involved in para-sport and, by doing so, increase the nation’s medal prospects at major events, including Summer and Winter Paralympic Games and the Commonwealth Games. It comes at a time when Australia has targeted Brisbane 2032 to be the nation’s most successful Paralympic Games campaign.  

A study into para-sport revealed 160 systemic barriers are preventing Australians with disabilities from participating in sport. It also discovered while three out of four Australians with a disability want to participate in sport, only one out of four do because of the barriers.  

The role of the NSWIS Para Unit is to work in conjunction with National Sporting Organisations to identify talent and determine whether they should enter a high performance program. 

“When someone is identified as a prospective high performance athlete, they’ll be provided with an opportunity to determine their suitability and eligibility for the Para high performance pathway,” said NSWIS’s Andrew Logan, who’ll head the Para Unit. 

“This includes being assessed for their classification; their permanent eligible impairment type; the sport and event alignment,” said Logan. “Key performance attributes will include physical, skill, ‘coachability’ and good old-fashioned grit.” 

Tim Hodge described the funding as an investment ‘faith.’ 

“This announcement is a red-letter day for para-sport throughout NSW,” said Hodge. “The NSWIS Para Unit will make the dream so many young people have of representing Australia that little bit more realistic.  

“On behalf of everyone in para-sport, particularly our aspiring athletes, I thank the NSW and Federal Governments for their commitment, and faith, in the next generation of Paralympians.” 

WHAT WAS SAID:

The Hon. Steve Kamper MP, NSW Sports Minister: 

“The Minns government believes that no athlete should be held back by barriers.  

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to chase their dreams. The NSWIS Para Unit will be a game-changer, providing a clear pathway for athletes to develop their skills, find purpose, and strive for greatness.” 

Matti Clements, Australian Sports Commission – Executive General Manager of AIS: 

“The Australian Government’s historic investment in para-sport is making a real difference. Not only is the national Para Uplift creating these incredible training environments, but it is also streamlining the classification process, supporting coaches, empowering athlete carers, and ensuring our athletes have the equipment they need to represent Australia with pride.” 

Cameron Murray, CEO of Paralympics Australia: 

“NSW has a proud tradition in Paralympic sport, having produced many of Australia’s greatest Paralympians.  

“We are confident the establishment of a dedicated and well-resourced NSW Para Unit at NSWIS will prove an enormous boost for current and future athletes and coaches.” 

Professor Kevin Thompson, NSWIS Chief Executive Officer: 

“The funding will be used to unearth yet to be discovered para-athletes from around the state and provide them with every opportunity to experience the joy and fellowship of sport, as well as the honour and privilege of competing for Australia at the Paralympics.” 

Words: Daniel Lane

Photos: Rachel Tingey