First Para Sport Collective cohort announced
Paralympics New Zealand has announced the first cohort of 42 Para athletes and coaches for the Para Sport Collective, a pre-high performance support programme backed by ACC.
Photo: ACC chief executive Megan Main high fives Para cyclist Siobhan Terry.
A total of 20 inspirational coaches and 22 promising Para athletes have been selected for the first cohort of the Para Sport Collective.
With the support of ACC, Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) launched the Para Sport Collective in March. It’s a three-year initiative supporting pre-high performance Para athletes and coaches to achieve their goals, after a need was uncovered for greater support.
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.
The first cohort of 42 individuals represents 14 of the 28 recognised Para sports, and the participants’ hometowns range from Whangārei to Invercargill. They will come together for the first time on 27-28 May at AUT Millennium in Auckland for the first of three in-person camps, during which they will gain skills, share experiences and build relationships.
“I’ve coached in Para athletics for five years, with athletes ranging from five to 52 years of age, basically by myself,” says Steve O’Kane, one of the selected coaches.
“I’ve struggled to find information and guidance on all the challenges for my athletes, from training programmes, support services like physio, strength and conditioning, and equipment. The network provided by the collective will be invaluable to myself and the athletes I coach.”
Talented individuals take the next step
To be considered for the collective, the Para athletes and coaches had to be nominated by their national sport organisation, based on meeting criteria such as demonstrating high performance potential.
Each individual then submitted an application explaining why they wanted to be part of the collective and their future sporting ambitions. The applications were reviewed and selections made by Paralympics New Zealand.
The Para Sport Collective is supported by ACC, with chief executive Megan Main sharing her passion for the project.
“Best of luck to these determined and talented individuals,” she says.
“Sport has the power to improve lives and minimise the impact of injury – something we believe in strongly at ACC. That’s why I’m so thrilled that ACC is supporting this pre-high performance stage of their journey.”
More information
For a list of the coaches and athletes included in the first cohort of the Para Sport Collective, please visit the Paralympics New Zealand website.
Para Sport Collective cohort announced
