A new facility that supports top and novice parasitic athletes

Current and emerging athletes will benefit from the Australian government’s investment in a new community, training and event center at The Hangar at Tullamarine.

The new development includes accessible training and accommodation facilities for shadow athletes, a theater and meeting facilities at the Essendon Football Club base, which is also home to the Victoria Paralympics.

The Australian Paralympic Sport Hall of Fame is also part of the development at Hangar, whose Paralympic Australia has shared administrative and training facilities with Essendon since 2013.

This center is part of a $ 21 million expansion of the facility, and the Australian government is providing $ 4 million in support for facilities for body athletes.

Additional funding was provided by Essendon Football Club and the Victorian government.

Sports Secretary Richard Colbeck said the center would also benefit the wider community.

“This facility will allow more athletes to realize their sporting potential and will also provide more opportunities for people with disabilities to enjoy sports and trail programs,” Minister Colbeck said.

The center supports several Paralympic sports, including table tennis, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair rugby.

“The Australian Government is pleased to be able to invest in projects that get more Australians involved in sport, bring communities together and support our top athletes in their pursuit of sporting success globally.”

32 beds and nine dormitories with barrier-free access have been available to Paralympic athletes and teams since March 2021, and were a key space in the run-up to the recent Tokyo Paralympics.

Minister Colbeck said increasing access to accessible on-site accommodation will also make it easier for athletes and coaches to attend Tullamarine Paralympic Australian camps.

“Our Paralympics showed incredible talent, teamwork and perseverance in winning 80 medals, including 21 gold at the Tokyo Paralympics and are a huge source of inspiration for all Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.

“As we focus on the Beijing Winter Paralympics in March, these new facilities will help us increase participation in more training camps, helping to improve performance and paralympic talent to identify, reinforce and retain.

“It’s also invaluable during the decades-long event in Brisbane 2032.

“More importantly, I hope it will inspire more people with disabilities to participate in and enjoy sports from the grassroots to elite competitions.”