NSWIS Para Unit: Meet an awesome foursome with big dreams, sound advice

The NSWIS Para Unit is taking registrations from talented people throughout NSW with a disability – and the aspiration to go as far as sport will take them.

It’s expected some will sign on because they have the dream of competing at the Paralympics or Commonwealth Games; others might join to form friends and to become part of a community, and there’s those who may see it as an opportunity to travel and experience new and exciting things.

Four Para athletes – Cormac Ryan a 18-year-old wheelchair racer; Samantha Pratt a 28-year-old Para swimmer (photographed above); Rachel Parkes, 30, an Australian international Blind footballer, and 10-year-old Lachlan Reid, who has already competed in road races against Paralympians – met to discuss their goals, the importance of participating in sport and the reasons why no-one reading this should allow doubt to stop them from having a red hot crack.

Why is it important for everyone to have the opportunity to play sport?

Cormac: It’s an opportunity to join a community. For instance, when I found Para sports, whether it was track or basketball, there was quite a few things attached to it. So, it was the sport itself . . . and that gave me a sense of purpose . . . and [it] also introduced me to the community of Para sports. It gives you a reason to play or participate.

Rachel: Sometimes it’s hard . . . depending on what you’ve been through . . . to keep going, and from personal experience [sport] has given me a real sense of purpose, and also [the] sense of community it brings and all the stories behind it.

Lachlan: Sports like a way to bring everyone together. It helps [you] make friends and really get that goal in force.

Samantha: I just wanted to, I guess, give myself a challenge, as to how far I can push my body and push my sporting abilities. I know I’m a bit older than the rest of the people that actually start sport, but I knew I had some things to give. I just wanted to see where it could take me.

How has sport enhanced your life?

Cormac: The community. It’s [allowed] me to meet and interact with so many different people that have brought me to so many different places in my life. Outside of school it has given me purpose. It’s opened up new doors.

Rachel: Oh, infinitely. I’ve been lucky enough to travel with sport as I’m on the Australian women’s Blind football team. We recently went to Japan; there’s nothing like the experience of being with the team. I don’t think anything I’ve ever experienced could compare to that. I’ve never travelled, so going to Japan [was] another world, another experience.

Lachlan: It’s made me go outside more, get me more fit. It’s like I get stronger each and every day when I see more people.

Samantha: Sport has enhanced my life because without it, I wouldn’t have met all the wonderful people within the Para community, and I’ve really felt the health benefits from it. It’s given me a really good purpose in life.

There’ll be people at home who’ll say, ‘I couldn’t possibly do what these guys are doing’. What’s your advice to them?

Cormac: You just need to get rid of that sense of doubt and give everything a go. It’s important to just try things. And then, like I mentioned, you get introduced to the community and, well, you don’t know if you don’t try.

Rachel: I’d tell them Rachel thought the exact same thing. I’ve been there. I thought, ‘well, I’m not going to be able to do that. I’m not going to be able to perform.’ I think the key thing is if you’re willing to put in the work and train hard, you get there. Just back yourself, no matter what obstacles you think there are, especially with this Para Unit. The accessibility and the opportunity is there if you want it enough.

Lachlan: You just need to find the right sport and, like, try out new sports every day.

Samantha: I think just give everything a go. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t tried the sport at all or, have tried it in the past but haven’t given it a go for a long time. I reckon you just get into it and see where it takes you because, you never really know what’s going to happen. For me, it’s been a wonderful journey so far.

What are your thoughts on that NSWIS Para Unit?

Cormac: I think the NSWIS Para Unit is an amazing initiative, and it’s so great to see, the heightened emphasis on Para sport in this facility. It’s a great step moving forward to help, specifically, the developing athletes, which I think is going to be crucial moving forward to 2028 and 2032 [Paralympic Games]. I think that’s going to become a higher priority. And it’s great to see the resources that have been placed into this Para sports unit that are available to, not just the elites, but the developing athletes as well. It’s awesome to see.

Rachel: The NSWIS Para Unit is amazing . . . the fact that a program like this exists [means] the opportunity is there if you want it – and if you work hard.

Lachlan: I think the NSWIS Para Unit is like a giant pit crew where the nutritionists, they, like, fill up the car. The coaches, they, like, help the driver move around the track, and everyone else in the background help really well.

Samantha: The Para Unit is a really good thing to get started because you really need some help as a para athlete trying to get to where you are. It’s just a good starting block to direct you on the pathway and get you to achieve all your goals.

What’s your goal in sport?

Cormac: I’d like to make a Paralympic Games. That’s been my goal since I started. So, you know, I’ve seen it broadcasted and had the opportunity to meet so many amazing Paralympians, including Paralympians involved with NSWIS.

Samantha: I would like swimming to take me to wherever it may lead me, but obviously there’s a lot of time and a lot of work to go into that process.

Lachlan: You just need to find the right sport and, like, try out new sports every day.

Rachel, of our four athletes you’ve experienced the honour of representing Australia. Can you describe what it felt like?

Rachel: It means a lot of things. It’s very emotional . . . representing your country. I’m getting a little emotional talking about it. Just thinking about everybody at home and all the work it took to get there. I don’t think people would understand until they’ve experienced it. And it’s great to be in that position because of the people who’ve helped you over the years. It just hits you really hard, there’s just something special about it.

Daniel Lane. NSWIS