The Tasmanian Institute of Sport (TIS) has partnered with Paralympics Australia (PA) to develop Para-sport pathways within the state, with the aim to provide more targeted support for developing and emerging Tasmanian Para-athletes and coaches.
TIS Para-Sport Talent Academy Program
Purpose: Provide a development opportunity for talented Tasmanian Para-athletes not yet categorised by their sports, to support them to progress to this level.
The Academy Program will provide opportunities for talented Tasmanian Para-athletes (junior and senior) to engage with the TIS and elite athlete pathways. Identified athletes will be supported by a Para Talent Scholarship to assist them to realise sport categorisation level.
Support provided through the scholarship includes:
- Individual Athlete Development Plans
- Access to strength and conditioning support
- Access to a range of athlete education programs
- Access to physio and medical screenings
- Connection to high performance coaches within their sport
- Mentoring by current and former Paralympians
- Training gear and uniform through the TIS and Paralympics Australia
TIS Para-Sport Junior Talent Program
Purpose: Provide talent ID opportunities for talented junior Tasmanian Para-athletes exposing them to the high-performance environment.
The program will expose participants to elite level training facilities and sessions to develop their knowledge of basic strength & conditioning, performance habits and will connect them with former Paralympic and scholarship athletes, in the hopes of inspiring a continued focus on Para-sport.
Athletes invited to be involved in this program will range in age from 10 – 18 years and will be identified through their participation in school sport multiclass events in athletics and swimming, as well as PA facilitated multi-sport events. The program delivery will occur during school holidays in Hobart.
This program underpins the Academy Program, supporting the identification of the next group of Para-athletes who may progress.
The TIS has been working closely with Paralympics Australia to develop initiatives specifically targeted at identifying and supporting talented para-athletes. After piloting these initiatives in 2022, para-athletes interested in the TIS’s Talent Identification Program should register below to express their interest.
TIS Para-Sport Coach Development Program
Purpose: Provide structured development and mentoring opportunities for current, new and identified Tasmanian Para-sport coaches.
The program aims to build the capacity of the sector and its coaches to develop Para-sport athletes in the future. The delivery of workshops and education sessions will complement Community Sport and Recreation Coach Network Forums. These sessions will provide a targeted focus on Para-sport, through connection with national head coaches, high performance athletes and Pathways Managers within Para-sport.
Along with supporting the general Para-sport community the program will offer targeted support to the coaches of TIS Talent Academy athletes. It will ensure they have the appropriate connections within their sports, with contemporaries amongst other states or at a national level.
The program will align with the TIS centre for coaching activities.