Out of the four recruited for the next stage of the process, APC performance talent manager Tim Matthews revealed some have shown real potential and impressed the across a number of sports.

"We have four people who we believe have what it takes and who were completely unknown to the APC, and I'm looking forward to seeing them continue on their Paralympic pathways," said Matthews, a three-time Paralympic gold medallist in athletics.

"The successful participants are likely to fit into classifications where medal opportunities currently exist, but most importantly, they had many of the traits and characteristics we see in successful Paralympians, so we know they have the potential to go the distance

"Two or three of the participants showed potential for a range of sports and where they fit within the classification system may ultimately determine their potential to succeed.

"The great thing is we could have two more potentials for the athletics team, one or two rowers, two potential cyclists and Para-canoe was interested in each of the four individuals - a sport only making its debut at Rio.

"We're already onto the next steps with all four participants.

"Together with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), we're working on linking them with an appropriate coach, club and programme and we will be closely tracking and monitoring their progress over the next 12 months."

APC performance talent manager Tim Matthews has revealed that four potential Paralympians have been identified in Melbourne ©Getty Images




The Para-sport Draft campaign has been developed by the APC in partnership with the AIS is focussing particularly on individuals with neurological impairments as this is deemed where many medal opportunities exist in a range of sports.

The APC hopes that the talent discovered in Melbourne may assist in filling a number of known pathway needs and opportunities across a range of Para-sports.

The programme also aims to enable individuals to better understand which Para-sports they are likely to be eligible for and enable them to make more informed choices about their own sporting journey.

While there were many individuals who are not likely to make future Paralympic teams Matthews said the Para-sports Draft was still a great opportunity for them to get involved in Para-sport and experience the positive physical and social benefits that sport has to provide.

"There were quite a few participants who had never participated in Para-sport before and while they might not be necessarily be what we're looking for in this particular programme, there are avenues to continue on with sport through their local clubs," added Matthews.

Melbourne was the first of seven planned stops on the Para-sport Draft campaign.

Sydney is due to be the next stop on Sunday (October 26) with further days scheduled to take place in Canberra on November 9, Adelaide on November 15, Perth on November 23, Brisbane on November 30 and Hobart on December 7.

For more information on the Para-sports Draft and to register, click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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