lite coachesto boost Paralympic talent in lead up to Brisbane 2032
- Ten Para Sport coaches join exclusive four-year program at Queensland Academy of Sport.
- The new Gen2032 Project Para Coach Development Program will boost Queensland's pipeline of Para sport coaches and athletes.
- Coaches to be employed by key Para sport partners including athletics, swimming, and cycling.
The Crisafulli Government has welcomed the first 10 coaches to the Gen2032 Project Para Coach Development Program, setting the stage for success in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Gen2032 program will support and train coaches to nurture the next generation of Paralympic talent.
As a key initiative of the QAS Para Sport Unit, the program works with the Australian Institute of Sport and Paralympics Australia to reduce barriers for participation and talent identification, and enhance performance pathways for Para-athletes.
The innovative four-year initiative offers employment and education in partnership with Para sports including athletics, swimming, table tennis and cycling.
Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said Gen2032 would be a game-changer for Para sport.
"We're serious about making Queensland a world leader in Para sport and to do that, we need world-class Para sport coaches," Minister Mander said.
"This innovative program will nurture a new wave of high-performance experts with the skills to discover and support the next Alexa Leary, Curtis McGrath, or Korey Boddington.
"The program will create new opportunities for Para-athletes and help make Brisbane 2032 our most successful Paralympic Games ever."
Gen2032 inductee David Heyden coached Paralympic swimmer Jack Ireland, who claimed silver and bronze at the 2024 Paris Games.
The University of Queensland Swimming Head Coach said he was looking forward to the new challenge.
"Like swimmers, we're always looking for opportunities to be better and stay ahead of the game, be innovative and world leaders in what we do," Mr Heyden said.
"This is an opportunity to expand my coaching horizon, learn new things, adapt and change, and continue to improve as a coach.
"I'm excited about being able to be exposed to those new learning opportunities and hopefully the knowledge I can gather over the next couple of years can lead to some successful outcomes for 2028, 2032 and beyond."
The following coaches will join Gen2032 Project Para with further positions in Para-cycling, Para-athletics and Para-Rowing being explored.
- David Heyden – Swimming
- Rick Pendleton – Swimming
- Ethan Forge – Swimming
- Toby Fitzgerald – Swimming
- Olivia Clare – Athletics
- Jessica Williams – Athletics
- Mateo Dvorani – Table Tennis
- Toby Coote – Triathlon
- Jessica Borg – Taekwondo
- Sarah Fuller – Archery
