ACC joins forces with Paralympics NZ to support Para athletes
With the support of ACC, Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) has launched the Para Sport Collective, a three-year initiative supporting pre-high performance Para athletes and coaches to achieve their goals.
The Para Sport Collective will run across a variety of Para sports, developing a like-minded community.
National sports organisations will nominate the Para athletes and coaches, and the first intake is set to commence in May this year with the inaugural in-person camp.
ACC is proud to partner with PNZ in the delivery of this important mahi with the shared objective of generating opportunities for disabled New Zealanders to live full and active lives.
PNZ believes pre-high performance Para athletes in New Zealand today need a community of like-minded individuals. There can be low numbers of athletes within any individual Para sport, and individual Para athletes have a wide range of impairments.
When sharing experiences with peers is enabled, it leads to greater inclusion in sport, and helps both well-being and sporting progress.
The story is similar for Para sport coaches – knowledge exchange and peer support are extremely valuable but coaches are often dispersed across different Para sports and different regions.
Sharing knowledge and skills
“Through our consultation with Para athletes and coaches, we know there is an opportunity to support Para athletes and coaches who have the ambition and desire to perform at a high level but are not quite at a level where they receive high-performance support,” says PNZ chief executive Fiona Allan.
“Together with ACC, we’re seeking to work with national sports organisations to foster an environment to gain and share knowledge and skills, as well as building connections.”
ACC chief executive Megan Main is equally enthused about the potential of this new programme.
“We’re really excited about the proactive approach of the Para Sport Collective to support Para athletes and coaches, and build their skills and confidence,” she says.
“We see first-hand the difference sport can make to people after a life-changing accident. We want to generate opportunities for disabled New Zealanders – many of our clients included – to participate and compete in Para sport, and we value the partnership with Paralympics New Zealand to achieve this.”
Para athlete Siobhan Terry and Paralympics NZ Para cycling development coach Jack Cooper.
Eligibility for the Para Sport Collective
The Para Sport Collective will include two intakes of up to 30 Para athletes and 20 coaches. Each intake will have three national in-person camps and bi-monthly virtual connection opportunities.
In total, up to 60 Para athletes and 40 coaches will come together to connect and develop through the three years of the Para Sport Collective.
Pre-high performance Para athletes may be eligible for the Para Sport Collective if they have demonstrated high performance potential against international benchmarks. Coaches of pre-high performance Para athletes (or those aspiring to coach pre-high performance Para sport) must show a commitment to engaging and contributing to the Collective.
More information
National sports organisations nominate Para athletes and coaches for the Para Sport Collective. Those wanting more information should get in touch with PNZ.
