World Para Athletics level 2 classifier training course concludes in Australia

“Athletics Australia will now continue to host classifications at all national athletics events, and continue to bring classification to remote parts of our country, which we would not be able to do without this course.”

The first of 2017’s World Para Athletics education courses took place in Canberra, Australia, between 17-19 February with a number of national classifiers successfully completing the programme.

Two Level 2 Physical Impairment (PI) Classifier Programmes took place simultaneously at the city’s Australian Institute of Sport, preparing participants to become National PI Classifiers for their National Paralympic Committees (NPC). Over 20 individuals took part, from Australia and New Zealand.

The courses, hosted by Athletics Australia, involved both theoretical and practical work and covered topics such as classification rules, assessment and classification practice with athletes.

Brett Watton from Athletics Australia said: “Athletics Australia would like to thank the International Paralympic Committee and World Para Athletics for allowing us to host the event and the Australian Paralympic Committee for their ongoing support for classification in Australia.

“The training and certification of new classifiers is vital for the continued success of our sport internationally, and help assist in the development and raising awareness of Para athletics in Australia.

“Athletics Australia will now continue to host classifications at all national athletics events, and continue to bring classification to remote parts of our country, which we would not be able to do without this course.”

Further education courses are planned to take place around the world over the coming months - for a list of scheduled programmes go to https://www.paralympic.org/athletics/education/pi-classifiers.

For technical officiating go to https://www.paralympic.org/athletics/education/technical-officials

Two programmes are already confirmed and applications are welcome via the links above.

•Level 4 Technical Officials Programme (Beijing, China): 10 – 15 May 2017 - application deadline: 08 March 2017

•Level 2 PI Classifier Programme (Tunis, Tunisia): 7 – 9 April 2017 – application deadline: 08 March 2017

NPCs who are interested in hosting programmes can find further information on website.

For more information please contact Jana Hasenberg, IPC Summer Sports Education Co-ordinator jana.hasenberg@paralympic.org or check out the links above.