Multiple gold-medal Paralympian Tim Matthews is in the Top End to promote the Para program for the Arafura Games and run a talent identification session to find future Paralympic stars.
The Arafura Games will include five sports for athletes with a disability - Athletics, Swimming, Tennis, Table Tennis and Netball.
Tim was a gold medallist in the Atlanta and Sydney Paralympic Games, and is a staunch supporter of the Arafura Games he was involved in delivering the Oceania Paralympic Championships as part of the 2009 and 2011 Arafura Games.
Tim works as a Talent Specialist for the Australian Paralympic Committee and held a talent identification session at Palmerston Recreation Centre yesterday. Today he is spending time with the Arafura Games team to provide input on the Para program.
As noted by Minister for the Arafura Games, Ken Vowles:
We made an election promise to bring back the Arafura Games and that includes delivering a high-quality Para program.
Tim is one of the Arafura Games biggest supporters and it is fantastic to have his input - he was an integral voice in advocating to bring back the Games.
Para Table Tennis at the Arafura Games will double as the Oceania Para Table Tennis Championships, and at least 15 athletes will directly qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at the Arafura Games, which is exciting.
Were also expecting a strong Athletics contingent of para athletes from Oceania and the Arafura Games will be an important step for them on the pathway to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
The Wheelchair Tennis event is an International Tennis Federation Future series event, so it is a chance for junior wheelchair tennis players to gain ranking points in an ITF-sanctioned competition.
As noted by Assistant Minister for Bringing Back the Arafura Games, Kate Worden:
Having Tim in town to give our Para planning the thumbs up is invaluable.
He presented to the Arafura Games Steering Committee, which helped inform the format of the new Games, and his continued interest will help us deliver a high-quality Para program.
As noted by Paralympian, Tim Matthews:
The Arafura Games provide a great international competition platform, particularly for emerging high-performance athletes prior to going on to compete at the Paralympic Games.
I understand first-hand the benefits of participating in the Arafura Games for Australian and international athletes, coaches and support staff. I was fortunate enough to coach two athletes who broke a world record on the same night of athletics at Marrara during the 2011 Games. Both went on to compete at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
The Arafura Games provide the only international multi-sport competition for Para-athletes in Australia, and they will allow Paralympic teams to trial staff and test their planning in a multi-sport environment prior to the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
