The Australian Athletics team for athletes with an Intellectual Disability.

It’s been two years since the Athletics team have had the opportunity to represent Australia at an international level.  At the 2013 Inas Athletics World Championships they finished with 2 Bronze medals in the 400m and 4 x 400m relay events.  The team members gained vital international experience with half of the team achieving Personal bests and several athletes going on to be selected in Athletics Australian Paralympic Squad.

A team of 10 athletes and 3 staff will travel to Quito, Ecuador, South America, for the 4th Inas Global Games (17th-27th September 2015).  It is so exciting to again see a group of young men and women making their debut representing Australia. Of the 10 athletes 7 will represent their country for the first time.  All athletes have earnt their selection as a result of their performances during the Australian domestic season.  They have trained hard, improved their abilities and are ready to compete and do their best against other athletes from all over the world.

All athletes have an intellectual disability, they each have a unique set of challenges with their disabilities but like anyone, they also have a unique set of abilities and it is those abilities that will allow them to perform to their best while competing.  We are immensely proud of these young people, and we are excited about this event and getting athletics for all with Intellectual Disabilities back onto the International scene.

Unfortunately for these athletes, representing their country does not come cheap as each athlete will have to pay $6,000 each for the privilege.  This is a huge amount for each of these worthy athletes and their families to raise.  Some athletes are still at school, some come from single parent homes, some are working and living independently, some have great support but others don’t have any – each one is unique – and each one will have a struggle to find the money required.

All donations are tax-deductible, so please dig deep to help these athletes realise their dream and show their immense abilities in Ecuador in September.  Please don’t see this as charity – it is a way to make a real difference to another Aussie, a way to celebrate diversity. 

So, hit the DONATE button now and show your support for the AUSTRALIAN ATHLETICS TEAM.

Thanks for the support and welcome to the team!!!

Eliesha Byrt, Thomas Burrows, Matthew Guild, Lindsey Hendy, Chloe Iwanoczko, Krystal Maloney,

Kyle McIntosh, Kaitlyn Papworth, Terry Price and Drew Semmens.