Australia’s next generation of Para sport talent has shone on day two of the Libby Kosmala Para Futures Cup at the Australian Institute of Sport, as the nation builds towards Brisbane 2032.

Less than six years out from a home Paralympic Games, the four-day competition is giving emerging athletes from every state and territory their first taste of a national multi-sport high-performance environment.

Day two dawned thoroughly wet in Canberra, but spirits were anything but.

With eights sports on offer on day two, Team North emerged ahead in race for the inaugural Para Futures Cup on 695 points, ahead of Team West on 603, Team East on 455 and Team South on 352.

The day’s competition began with goalball, where Paralympian and athlete mentor Raissa Martin joined athletes on court. She would learn only afterwards that some had been nervous about trying the sport for the first time.

“A couple of teams were really nervous to actually try it, maybe putting on the eyeshades or the thought of being hit by the ball,” Martin said.

“But everyone gave it a go and they had such great teamwork and good communication, and they were so supportive of each other. I couldn’t have asked for a better session.”

Inside the AIS Performance Gym, the clink of weight plates mingled with coaches’ instructions, bursts of applause and encouragement from those gathered around the Para powerlifting bench.

There was a warmth to the room, but something more intimate too, an inherent vulnerability in trying something unfamiliar in front of others, yet here it seemed to create connection rather than self-consciousness.

The atmosphere was buoyant and kind, with each athlete seeming to have the room behind them when their turn came. It was especially evident when Team North’s Brydi Saul took her place beneath the bar.

Her lift looked precarious at first, the bar inching upwards as calls of “push, push, push” grew louder around the bench. Saul kept pushing and, when her arms finally reached full extension, the room erupted.

“Doing it and hearing everyone cheering just made me want to keep doing it more. It just made me feel so good,” Saul said.

Reflecting on the weekend more broadly, Saul’s answer was as simple as it was moving.

“It’s really good, especially with other people like me. I feel like I’m more included,” she said, “I just feel like everyone else now.”

Team North topped the powerlifting standings with 100 points, ahead of Team West (80), Team East (65) and Team South (50).

The afternoon brought a change of pace, beginning with a presentation on media and presentation skills before competition resumed across table tennis, individual boccia and shooting.

Team West claimed maximum points in table tennis, ahead of Team East, Team South and Team North, while Team North topped the shooting competition ahead of Team South, Team West and Team East.

For three-time Paralympian and Team West lead Brad Scott, the willingness to step into unfamiliar territory has been one of the pleasures of the weekend.

“The vulnerability that people are willing to show, to try new sports, is something that I really value,” Scott said.

“Not everyone is going to make it through to a Paralympic Games, but this could be the starting point for some to really cement their own belief in what they can achieve and put in the work to get there.

“There’s going to be people identified through this weekend that I think we’re going to look back at this being the foundational moment for them on their journey.”

The Libby Kosmala Para Futures Cup continues tomorrow and will conclude with the inaugural trophy presentation on Monday.

Australian Sports Commission/Paralympics Australia

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