Australian Paralympic Committee confident of growth

“Under Winning Edge, our aim is a top five finish at the Rio Games in 2016 and every member of our organisation, from our Chairman and Board to junior staff, will leave no stone unturned to help achieve that aim.”

The release of Sports Tally 2014 by the Australian Sports Commission last week shows that the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) is well positioned to meet the targets set by Australia’s Winning Edge.

But the 44-page report has also re-emphasised where the APC must continue to improve and drive Paralympic sport forward according to APC Chief Executive Jason Hellwig.

Hellwig was encouraged by the Commission’s evaluation of the APC across the key areas of high performance, participation and governance, but conceded there was still more to be done.

“The release of this report from the ASC rightfully acknowledges the improvements the APC is currently making to its Board Governance, and highlights that the Paralympic sports programmes which we directly manage and those that are managed by our National Federation partners are making significant progress,” Hellwig said.

“We are positive about the road ahead with Rio now just over two years away, and we are confident the ASC’s approach to transparency and accountability through Winning Edge will improve Australian sport.

“In addition to the $8.89 million in ASC funding provided to para-sport programmes during the period covered by this report, the APC injects further investment and expertise to build sustainable para-sport programmes for the future.

“We have redeveloped the way in which we approach the sporting pathway and are investing in targeted talent identification for future Games, structured development pathways from grassroots to elite for athletes with a disability and a focus on bringing together all the stakeholders needed for Australia to maintain and improve its success in international Paralympic sport.

Having adopted the ASC’s mandatory governance principles, the APC has recently commenced the process of reforming its Board Governance, specifically the introduction of newly implemented performance evaluations, an improved gender-balance, a staggered rotation and the establishment of a Board nominations committee.

“Under Winning Edge, our aim is a top five finish at the Rio Games in 2016 and every member of our organisation, from our Chairman and Board to junior staff, will leave no stone unturned to help achieve that aim,” Hellwig said.