Wheelchair Sports Victoria (WSV) will host the inaugural Australian Paralympic Youth Games (APYG) from Monday 5 to Saturday 11 October 2009. Supported by the Victorian Government and the Australian Paralympic Committee,
the Games will take place in Melbourne’s premier sporting venues, including the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and Olympic Park. Australian Athletes With a Disability (AAWD) is 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.
This year’s Games will present the opportunity for young athletes from around Australia and overseas to participate in a world class event in a range of six sports, including: Athletics, Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball, Table Tennis, 7-a-side football and Wheelchair Tennis. The 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 include experiencing enjoyment, fun and involvement, improving self confidence, experiencing international liaison and cultures and enhancing social skills.
In conjunction with the variety of sports being contested, athlete and school education programs will form important features of the Games program. Session providers include the Australian Paralympic Committee, Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA), Beyond Blue and ‘Go for your life’. Schools will also be provided with the unique opportunity to participate in a free ‘Wheel Talk’ Education Package.
Entry to the event is free for the public, with spectators encouraged to come and support Australia’s next generation of Paralympians. The competition schedule is located on the Wheelchair Sports Victoria website on http://www.wsv.org.au/events/australian-paralympic-youth-games.html
For more information or to arrange a photo or filming opportunity, please contact Promotion & Development Manager, Georgina Power on 9473 0133 or via email at
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