2027 Paralympics Australia Partnership
Supporting talented regional para-athletes to progress their sporting pathways.
Barwon Sports Academy partners with Paralympics Australia to help reduce the barriers faced by para-athletes living in regional Victoria.
Through the partnership, selected athletes can access BSA's strength and conditioning, athlete education and local support services, alongside additional support from Paralympics Australia.
The aim is simple: help talented regional para-athletes access the support, opportunities and connections they need to progress in their chosen sport.
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A Regional Pathway for Para-Athletes
Where you live shouldn't determine how far your sporting pathway can go.
Through its partnership with Paralympics Australia and the Victorian Regional Academies of Sport network, BSA supports talented para-athletes from regional Victoria by connecting them with high-performance development opportunities and local support.
Athletes become part of the BSA environment while continuing to train and compete within their own sporting pathways.
Paralympics Australia provides additional support throughout the program, with the goal of helping regionally based para-athletes progress toward their chosen performance pathways.
Your Athlete Development
BSA provides a broader athlete-development environment designed to complement your existing sport and coaching program.
Support can include:
Strength & Conditioning
Develop the physical qualities required for your sport through structured strength and conditioning.
BSA provides approximately 15–20+ sessions, depending on athlete numbers, with sessions designed to be as sport-specific as possible.
Athletes can also access a home-based strength and conditioning program through the Lumin App.
Athlete Education
Education sessions help athletes develop the knowledge and skills required to perform, recover and look after themselves.
Athlete Support
BSA connects athletes with local services, partners and support providers to help address the broader needs of high-performance sport.
High Performance Testing
Access to the BSA High Performance Testing Series, with two testing windows each year.
Athlete Profiling & Screening
Athlete profiling and musculoskeletal screening to help identify areas for development and support.
Goal Setting & Athlete Development Planning
Two goal-setting and Athlete Development Plan sessions to help establish priorities and track progress.
More Than Sport
Being a high-performance athlete is about more than training and competition.
BSA's athlete education program helps athletes build the knowledge, confidence and skills they need both within sport and beyond it.
Education includes:
- Nutrition
- Injury prevention
- Strength and conditioning
- Recovery
- Sports psychology
- Goal setting
- Athlete trademarks
- Sport-specific education
- Performance preparation
Athletes can also take part in broader BSA education opportunities, including elective sessions and group Q&As with alumni and elite athletes from multiple sports.
Support Built Around Your Sport
Every para-sport has different demands.
BSA works to provide support that complements the athlete's existing sport-specific coaching and competition environment.
This can include:
- Sport-specific strength and conditioning
- Performance preparation
- Recovery support
- Athlete education
- Access to specialist services
- Connections with coaches and sporting organisations
- Additional coaching opportunities where appropriate
Where an athlete's sport is not one of BSA's partner sports, BSA will look to source additional coaching opportunities where possible.
Paralympics Australia Support
Athletes supported through the Paralympics Australia partnership may also receive additional assistance from Paralympics Australia.
This can include:
- Financial support toward sporting pursuits
- Additional opportunities provided through Paralympics Australia
- Connections within the Para-sport pathway
- Additional support relevant to the athlete's development
The BSA team works with each supported athlete to help make the most effective use of the available support.
Your Para-Sport Pathway
BSA support sits alongside the athlete's existing sporting pathway.
Your journey may include:
Local & Regional Competition → State Pathway → National Development → High Performance → Australian Representation
The pathway will look different for every athlete and every sport.
Paralympics Australia works across the national Para-sport system to identify and progress athletes with potential to represent Australia at the highest level.
BSA's role is to provide regional athletes with additional support and development opportunities while they continue pursuing their individual sporting goals.
Who Is This Program For?
The BSA Paralympics Australia partnership supports talented para-athletes living in regional Victoria.
Athletes are identified through the Paralympics Australia pathway and relevant sporting organisations.
Eligibility and selection requirements are determined by Paralympics Australia and its pathway partners for each annual intake.
BSA does not independently determine the annual selection criteria.
How Selection Works
Paralympics Australia determines the annual eligibility and selection requirements for the program and provides BSA with the athletes identified for support.
The process may involve Paralympics Australia, relevant National or State Sporting Organisations and regional pathway partners.
Because the criteria can change from year to year, athletes should refer to the current Paralympics Australia information provided for the relevant intake rather than relying on previous years' criteria.
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What's Included?
Selected athletes can access a combination of BSA and Paralympics Australia support.
BSA Support
- Strength and conditioning
- Lumin home-based S&C program
- Athlete education
- Sport-specific education
- Athlete wellbeing and development support
- BSA uniform items
- Gym access for eligible athletes
- Musculoskeletal screening for 1st-year athletes
- Discounted physiotherapy services
- Discounted medical imaging
- Selected BSA partnership benefits
Paralympics Australia Support
- Financial support toward sporting pursuits
- Additional Para-sport opportunities
- Pathway support
- Potential additional services and benefits
The exact support available to each athlete may vary depending on their sport, pathway and the support provided through Paralympics Australia.
Athlete Development Beyond Performance
BSA's role is to support the whole athlete.
Alongside performance development, athletes are encouraged to build:
- Confidence
- Resilience
- Independence
- Leadership
- Goal-setting skills
- Understanding of their body and training
- Skills to manage the demands of high-performance sport
The aim is to help athletes develop the tools they need to thrive both in sport and in life.
Program Leadership
Paralympics Program Manager
Sarah Skidmore
0422 865 820
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The BSA Paralympics Australia program works alongside Paralympics Australia and relevant sporting organisations to support athletes through their regional performance pathway.
