Six years out from Brisbane 2032, a new competition has been created to help emerging Para athletes from across Australia realise their dream of wearing the green and gold at a home Paralympic Games.

Athletes from every state and territory will compete across 12 sports at the inaugural Para Futures Cup at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra in October, as the nation accelerates preparations to develop a strong Paralympic cohort for Brisbane 2032 and beyond.

The Cup is being organised by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) and Paralympics Australia, with support from the National Institute Network. It is part of the Australian Government-funded Para Uplift, Australia’s largest ever effort to grow Para sport and create more opportunities and support for current and future Paralympians.

States and territories will join forces in four teams, with Queensland and the Northern Territory, New South Wales and the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania, and South Australia and Western Australia combining to compete for bragging rights.

The competition will bring together 70 athletes aged from 13 to 32, including:

  • Brydi Saul, Team Qld and NT: Fifteen-year-old First Nations wheelchair racer Brydi Saul was introduced to track racing by Paralympic great Kurt Fearnley and is now part of the Queensland Academy of Sport’s Para Unit after being identified through its YouFor2032 program.
  • Caitlin Hannen-Williams, Team WA and SA: Vision impaired athlete Caitlin Hannen-Williams, 21, became the first Western Australian woman selected for the Aussie Belles after winning silver at the 2023 Goalball Youth World Championships, before progressing through the Western Australian Institute of Sport Fast-Track Program into its Para Unit
  • Maleia Jones, Team NSW and ACT: Fourteen-year-old rugby sevens player Maleia Jones, who was born with one arm, is taking her speed and power to Para athletics after impressing coaches at a NSW Institute of Sport Para Transition talent identification camp in July, beginning a new sporting journey that could take her to Brisbane 2032.

The event is named in honour of Paralympic shooting great Libby Kosmala OAM, who represented Australia at 12 Paralympic Games, winning 13 medals, including nine gold.

The Para Futures Cup is one of a growing number of opportunities being created through Para Uplift, backed by record funding from the Australian Government to improve access to coaching, equipment, classification, training environments and athlete support.

Since its launch in 2024, Para Uplift has established Para Sport Units in every state and territory, backed by more than $10 million from the Australian Government over two years and additional investment from Paralympics Australia and state and territory governments.

The initiative has also supported more than 150 new athletes, increased funding for most Para sport programs by 75 per cent and provided additional funding to hundreds of athletes through the AIS Para Athlete Barrier Fund.

The Para Uplift has also delivered $2.8 million in equipment support to 100 individuals and 59 organisations through Paralympics Australia’s Para Sport Equipment Enhancement Program.

To learn more about Para Uplift, visit www.ausport.gov.au/para-system-uplift

Quote attributable to Minister for Sport the Hon Anika Wells:

“With six years to go to the Brisbane 2032 Paralympics, the Albanese Government is backing Australia’s Para athletes and pathways athletes with record investment. 

“We are proud to support initiatives like the Para Futures Cup through our Para Uplift funding and through Para Units in every state and territory. 

“The Para Futures Cup will showcase Australia’s talented athletes, some fresh home from glory in Glasgow and others with their eye on LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032.”

Quote attributable to ASC CEO Kieren Perkins OAM:

“Six years from a home Paralympic Games, we have an incredible opportunity to support athletes who could become Australia’s future Paralympians.

“The Para Futures Cup will give athletes the chance to compete, test themselves and experience what it takes to progress towards the green and gold.

“This event is only the beginning. We want the Cup to grow as we approach Brisbane 2032 and eventually welcome athletes from neighbouring countries, including Pacific nations.

“We thank the Australian Government and Minister Wells for their continued belief in Para sport and commitment to giving our athletes every opportunity to reach their potential.”

Quote attributable to Paralympics Australia CEO Cameron Murray:

“Six years out from Brisbane 2032, we’re working with partners across Australia to build a Para sport system capable of delivering our most successful era of Paralympic sport, and that starts with identifying and developing Para athletes with elite potential.

“For athletes competing at the Para Futures Cup, this will be an important step in their journey to becoming an Australian Paralympian. This event will provide the chance to compete, learn from Paralympian mentors and from each other, and experience an environment designed to help them progress.

“Brisbane 2032 will be a defining moment for Australian sport, and we want these athletes to have every opportunity to be part of it.

“Paralympics Australia is proud to be working with the Australian Sports Commission and the National Institute Network to create more opportunities for emerging athletes and build a stronger pathway into future Australian Paralympic Teams.”

ABOUT THE ASC

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is the Australian Government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sport at all levels. Our role is to increase involvement in sport and enable continued international sporting success through leadership and development of a cohesive and effective sports sector, targeted financial support and the operation of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

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