Australians are invited to test out a range of para-sports, with Bupa and Disability Sports Australia (DSA) partnering to find the next generation of para-sports athletes.
Through the "Try-Para Sport" program, DSA and Bupa will deliver a range of community-focused events across Australia to ensure people with disability sample a variety of para-sports in a safe and welcoming environment and leverage and maximise the increased engagement surrounding para-sports.
Disability Sports Australia supported by Paralympics Australia and other sports organizations will provide an opportunity for sporting partners to showcase their para-sport opportunities and connect participants to local opportunities.
Participants will have the opportunity to try a range of para-sports, including wheelchair basketball, archery, wheelchair rugby, goalball, boccia and many others, while also learning about potential pathways to participate in these sports at an amateur or elite level.
Ayden Shaw, DSA CEO said these events are a fun, but vital way to help get people, at any age, involved in para-sports.
"Sport has the power to change people's lives. Our mission is to enable more Australians with a disability to be more active more often. We know 75% of people with a disability want to play sport, so Bupa's support at the grassroots level is vital to achieving our ambitions," Mr Shaw said.
"Since the launch of our strategic plan last year, we delivered 69 events to more than 4000 participants. Partnerships such as the one that we have with Bupa are pivotal in creating and providing sports and active programs and services that deliver more opportunities for individuals with pathways to becoming Australia's future star para-athletes or just as importantly participating socially," Mr Shaw added.
Paralympic Gold Medallist, Matthew Haanappel OAM PLY said partnerships such as these are vital for fostering a lifelong love of sport or even the next generation of champion Paralympians.
"All sporting careers and healthy active lifestyles start at a grassroots level which is why developing and supporting community-based programs such as this are so important," Matthew said.
The partnership is an extension of the relationship between the two organisations, with Bupa signing as the Official Healthcare partner of DSA over a year ago. Penny Ryan, Director of Brand APAC, said that is important to help support the development and promotion of para-sports at a grassroots level, especially when only one in four people with disability participate in sport.
"Bupa's purpose is to help people live longer, healthier, and happier lives, so we are very excited to put this purpose into action with Disability Sports Australia. Being active is one of the best ways to stay healthy, but it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to sport," Ms Ryan said.
"The Bupa Try Para-Sport program is a great first step for people living with a disability to get their start in sport. Bupa's support will enable more events to be held around the country, meaning more people will get the opportunity to participate," Ms Ryan added.
Events will be run across Australia in October and November 2024, and are open to individuals aged 10 and above.
