Following the successful launch of the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) Para Unit at the end of last year, this exciting new initiative has taken a major step towards connecting athletes to Paralympic pathways.

The SASI Para Unit Launch Pad Program is up and running, where 13 motivated individuals with a range of impairments are discovering their potential to compete in Para-sports.

Over an eight-week period, these aspiring athletes are being guided by SASI’s dedicated Para Unit staff to connect with high-performance pathways across a variety of sports including wheelchair/ambulant basketball, athletics, boccia, fencing and archery.

Participants are setting their sights on long-term success, including representation at the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.

Leading the hands-on delivery of the Launch Pad Program are Paralympic gold medallists Emily Petricola (Para Unit Lead) and Jed Altschwager (Para Transition Coach), who play a crucial role in talent recruitment, athlete development and sport alignment.

“We’re working hard to create a system and framework that enables all people with a disability to have equal opportunities to explore high performance sport,” Petricola said.

“A huge part of this has been creating our SASI Para Unit Launch Pad Program which is designed to give potential Para-athletes an opportunity to sample a wide range of sports that they previously wouldn’t have had access to.

“By removing some of the fundamental barriers of entry to sport for people with disability and layering on top of that education around what it is to be a Para-athlete at the top level, we are already able to see huge promise in those participating in our pilot program.

“We are excited to see where they all progress to over the next few years as they embed themselves into their chosen sport at the end of the program.”

The initiative marks a major milestone for the SASI Para Unit, which was first launched as part of the Federal Government’s $54.9 million commitment to Para sport, in partnership with Paralympics Australia (PA) and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Cameron Murray said the SASI Para Unit Launch Pad Program is a great example of how our Australian sporting system is working collaboratively to ensure the Para System Uplift continues to live up to its potential.

“As the first State Institute in the country to establish a dedicated Para Unit, the progress made by SASI to help drive advancements across the Australian Paralympic movement has been outstanding,” Murray said.

“The SASI team is demonstrating what’s possible with strong focus and commitment.

“This is about building sustainable pathways for athletes with disabilities and ensuring they have every opportunity to excel.

“The involvement of Paralympians Jed Altschwager and Emily Petricola in this work has been instrumental.

“They bring lived experience, expertise, deep insight and genuine passion, and their contributions - along with the outstanding leadership of SASI Director Keren Faulkner - is helping shape an inclusive and ambitious program that is strengthening our chances for future Paralympic success.”

The Para Unit is also a key feature of the State Government’s investment into SASI’s new world-class facility in Mile End.

Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Emily Bourke said the SASI Para Unit is another way South Australian Para-athletes are being supported to achieve at the highest level.

“Our Government is committed to advancing opportunities for people with a disability to participate in sport and pursue their Paralympic dreams,” Minister Bourke said.

“Establishing this unit improves access to our high-performance sports precinct and builds on funding SA will deliver for the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Team Appeal.”

This initiative is a vital step in achieving Australia’s 2032+ High Performance Sport Strategy, ensuring that more Australians with a disability have the opportunity, resources, and support to reach the Paralympic stage.

Australian Sports Commission Executive General Manager of AIS Performance Matti Clements said our current and future Paralympians have never been better supported with five Para Sport Units now in operation across the country.

“Australian sport is united in making our Para facilities and athlete support world’s best and the SASI Para Unit Launch Pad Program is a fantastic example of providing our Para athletes with the environment and resources they need to reach their full potential,” Clements said.

“This is an important step towards achieving our shared goal of making Brisbane our best ever Paralympic Games.

“Thanks to the Australian Government’s record investment in Para sport, we are confident we can not only make that happen but ensure sustainable sporting success that will inspire and motivate Australians to win well for generations to come.”

Athletes and organisations interested in being part of the SASI Para Unit can register their interest via: www.sasi.sa.gov.au/about/para-unit