2009/10 ANNUAL REPORT Covering the period 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010 HONOUR ROLL Australian Paralympic Medal 2001 Marie Little 2002 Ron Finneran 2004 Adrienne Smith 2005 Nick Dean 2008 Scott Goodman 2010 Rod Kemp Paul Bird Australian Paralympian of the Year 1994 Louise Sauvage 1995 Priya Cooper 1996 Louise Sauvage 1997 Louise Sauvage 1998 Louise Sauvage 2000 Siobhan Paton 2002 Michael Milton 2004 Tim Sullivan 2008 Matthew Cowdrey 2010 Cameron Rahles-Rahbula 2010 Paralympian of the Year Awards Paralympic Achievement Award – Individual: David and Pamela Baker Steve Mason and Belinda Green Paralympic Achievement Award – Corporate: 360 HR President’s Award for Excellence in Sportsmanship: Toby Kane Coach of the Year: Steve Graham (Winter Sport) Male Athlete of the Year: Cameron Rahles-Rahbula (Alpine Skiing) Female Athlete of the Year: Jessica Gallagher (Alpine Skiing) CONTENTS President’s Report 02 CEO’s Report 04 The APC 06 Message from the Australian 08 Sports Commission Finance and Corporate Services 09 Sport Operations and Development 14 - Overview - APC High Performance - APC Sports Science and Sports Medicine - APC Pathways and Development - APC Classification - Boccia / Goalball / Powerlifting / Wheelchair Rugby - Wintersports / Athletics / Cycling / Equestrian - Football 7-a-side / Rowing / Sailing / Shooting - Swimming / Table Tennis / Wheelchair Tennis / Wheelchair Basketball 2010 Paralympic Winter Games 26 - The 2010 Australian Paralympic Team Marketing and Communications 28 - Communications - Media - Websites - Media – Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games - Sponsorship - Fundraising - Knowledge Services - Paralympic Education Program - Events Sponsors and Supporters 36 Australian Paralympic Winter Team – 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony presIDent’S report There is no greater This represents a significant increase in measure of the APC’s Paralympic funding and comes at a crucial growth and success time, with our preparations for the London than Australia’s 2012 Paralympic Games now well advanced. performances at a While the APC welcomes the increase in Paralympic Games. funding, we remain steadfast in our belief that athletes with a disability and able-bodied Earlier this year, on athletes at both the high performance and the slopes of Whistler participation levels deserve equitable funding. in Canada, the largest ever Australian Paralympic Winter Team combined to win As we strive to reach our sporting goals, the four medals at the 10th Winter Paralympic APC management structure has undergone Games. Finishing 13th on the total medal tally, significant change including the appointment the four medals won by the Australian Team of Chief Executive Officer, Jason Hellwig. was two more than in Torino in 2006. Such Jason has an extensive background in sports a tremendous achievement from our athletes management, and with six years experience was yet another wonderful reflection of the at the APC, has a deep understanding of our APC’s ability and commitment to delivering operations and vision. Australian Paralympic Teams of the highest Many individuals and organisations have quality. contributed to the success of the APC over the past year. The accomplishments of our athletes – together with our continued efforts to I extend my thanks and appreciation to improve Paralympic sport – underscores my Board colleagues for their continued Australia’s progress as a Paralympic country dedication to the Paralympic movement and and reaffirms the APC’s drive to continue to to the APC staff for their hard work and deliver world class sports performance. commitment to Australia’s Paralympic athletes and teams. In May, the APC welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of additional Our relationship with the Australian sport funding in the Federal Budget. Of the Government and the Australian Sports $23.2 million allocated to high performance Commission (ASC) is crucial to the APC’s sport, the APC received $3 million. growth. I acknowledge and thank former 2 Cameron Carr Minister for Sport, The Hon. Kate Ellis MP, and former Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children’s Services, The Hon. Bill Shorten MP, for their support. I extend my thanks to the Chief Executive of the ASC, Matt Miller, and his staff, including AIS Director, Professor Peter Fricker. Our member organisations, our athletes, and their families, coaches, support staff, and corporate supporters are all critically important to our success and have a key stake in our future. We are working with a clear target to achieve success in London 2012 and Sochi 2014 as well as the numerous national and international events held every year. And we have a keen eye set on the longer term horizon, including the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janerio. We are well positioned to continue our growth and development, both on the sporting field and through our range of support programs and activities. We have every reason to approach the future with optimism. Greg Hartung President 3 CEO’S report Paralympic sport is Throughout 2009-10, the APC has placed more competitive than great focus on developing and enhancing the ever before, and the core components of our business. Paralympic movement continues to build In line with the corporate strategy, the APC momentum around the has restructured its business to accommodate world. As Australia’s a growing demand for Paralympic sport athletes continue to programs, and to best focus on areas that excel on the world stage, it is the challenge will further our vision for world class sport and responsibility of the APC to mirror our performance. These key programs will benefit athletes’ performances, by providing the the Australian Paralympic movement in the best opportunities and the best programs long term, and fulfil the direction set by the for them to succeed. APC Board of Directors. The APC recognises the vast challenges and In a strategic move to raise participation and opportunities that come with a growing Australian performance standards, the APC sporting movement, and as such, has continues to pursue opportunities to bring dedicated the past year to not only preparing world-class Paralympic sport to our shores. the largest ever Australian Team for the 2010 Events such as the successful Wheelchair Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games, but also Rugby Four Nations Tournament, hosted by laying foundations to build better Paralympic the APC earlier this year, not only provides teams and grow Australian Paralympic sport our athletes with extra opportunities for further for the future. elite international competition without the burden of overseas travel, and its associated The Australian Paralympic movement has costs, but also creates greater awareness of enjoyed numerous successes during the Paralympic sport among the Australian public. 2009-2010 reporting period, most notably the achievements of our winter Paralympians. As we move into the latter half of this Their outstanding results reflected their hard Paralympic quadrennium, and with the work, ability and passion, but also stood Vancouver Games now behind us, our testament to Australia’s Paralympic winter focus has shifted to delivering the best sport program, managed by the APC. Away possible Australian Team at the London from the slopes, the Games and our athletes 2012 Paralympic Games and to enhance the enjoyed increased media coverage and pathways and support activities critical to committed corporate sponsorship, echoing increasing opportunities for people with a an increase in public demand for Paralympic disability to participate in sport. sport. There are many to thank for their contribution As well as preparing the team, this past year to the APC over the past year. Special thanks has seen the APC place greater importance and congratulations go to APC President Greg on improving our corporate business plan Hartung, who was elected Vice-President of and expanding our commercial impact. the International Paralympic Committee 4 Shannon Dallas and also appointed to the IOC Coordination Commission for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. His vision and knowledge of Paralympic sport is nothing short of exceptional. I also extend my thanks to the APC Board for their expertise and commitment, and to the APC staff, who work energetically to ensure our athletes receive the best opportunities possible, I am grateful to be leading such an outstanding team. To the APC stakeholders, sponsors and supporters, thank you for your ongoing support and we look forward to you staying with us on this exciting journey towards London, Sochi, Rio and beyond. In the 50th year since the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, it is important to reflect on the enormous progress and impact the Paralympic movement has made in Australia. While the progress has been significant, it is also important to not lose sight of how far we still have to go. I am proud of what the APC has achieved in the past year and am just as excited by what is to come. Jason Hellwig Chief Executive Officer 5 APC BOARD STAFF Greg Hartung President Alison Campbell Nick Dean Vice President Manager, Sports Science and Sports Medicine Paul Bird Vice President Dee Camporeale Fundraising Support Coordinator John Croll Director Katheryn Chambers Doug Denby Director General Manager, Marketing and Sponsorship Steve Loader Director Kieran Courtney Joyce Parszos Director Sports Analyst Troy Sachs Director Charlie Coyle Manager, Finance Glenn Tasker Director Brad Dubberley Jason Hellwig Executive Officer/ Head Coach,