PARA SPORTS

TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR SPORTING CAREER

The IAS is committed to providing equal opportunity for Para Athletes to achieve sporting excellence through the facilitation of appropriate sports development programs that support and enhance the athlete’s potential and sporting opportunities. Scholarships are offered for a 12-month period commencing in October and concluding September.

The purpose of the Para-sports program is to identify and connect pre-categorised Para-athletes (with potential to progress to Emerging/Developing Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Categorisation within 2 years) to athlete servicing and support provided through the Illawarra Academy of Sport, with the goal of supporting athletes to be National Institute Network (NIN) ready by the time they achieve categorisation.

Places in the 2025/26 IAS Para Sport program are awarded to athletes identified via Paralympics Australia Pathways Programs.

OUR PROGRAM

The IAS Para Sports Program (formerly Athlete with a Disability) is designed to support the developmental needs of the regions talented Para Athletes by providing industry leading high-performance sport development programs by offering scholarships to access strength & conditioning support, education, and additional targeted development opportunities.

The program is supported and endorsed by Paralympics Australia and will aim to complement and elevate an athlete’s current training program.

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible for the 2025/26 program athletes must:

Reside within one of five eligible local government areas – Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven or Wingecarribee
Have an eligible physical, vision, and/or intellectual impairment for Para-sport, based on previous national or provisional classification
Be aged between 13 – 18 years in 2026*
Be representing at a state or national level within their Para-sport or show appropriate talent potential as determined by the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) for their sport and Paralympics Australia
Be representing one (or more) of the 28 Para-sports and events competed at the Paralympic Games

* Special consideration may be given to some athletes falling outside of this age limit due to the nature of para-sport. This remains subject to the approval of IAS board in consultation with Paralympics Australia.

SELECTION PROCESS

Athletes will be selected for the IAS Para Sports program by Paralympics Australian and Illawarra Academy of Sport. Each applicant is reviewed by an independant selected panel of coaches, administrators and invited representatives. The IAS decision/s regarding athlete selection is based on objective and subjective measures and the IAS hold final responsibility for the selection of athletes.

Athletes should demonstrate the following qualities:

Affiliation to a sporting association associated with chosen sport
Evidence of classification or ability/capacity to gain/ seek a confirmation of disability whether it is physical or intellectual
Capacity to represent at State and National level within 12 months
Ability to apply coaching and technical instruction
Attitude, commitment and dedication to improving performance

SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

Beginning in the 2025-26 scholarship year, the IAS will be offering both its traditional, fully supported places AND self-financed places to selected athletes.

For further financial assistance, explore the Grow A Star and Local Sporting Champions grants.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

IAS athletes are required to purchase the IAS squad uniform, they also are required to contribute to additional components of the programs such as camps.