Australian Athletes With a Disability (AAWD) was also pleased to provide support to WSV for the Games through its funds grant program. The Games were formerly called the National Junior Wheelchair Games and sanctioned by Wheelchair Sports Australia, and were first held in 1982 in Adelaide where approximately 100 young athletes from around Australia participated.
Young athletes from around Australia and overseas participated in a world class event at Melbourne’s premier sporting venues including the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and Olympic Park. The sports conducted were Athletics, Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball, Table Tennis, 7-a-side football and Wheelchair Tennis.
These Games form an integral pathway for junior athletes to develop their skills in the pursuit of senior national representation including the Paralympic Games. Key aims of the event for the athletes included experiencing enjoyment, fun and involvement, improving self confidence, experiencing international liaison and cultures and enhancing social skills.
Full results and video footage from the Australian Paralympic Youth Games (APYGs) are now available from http://www.wsv.org.au/events/australian-paralympic-youth-games.html
The Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission,
invests in and supports Basketball Australia to develop Basketball at all levels in Australia.