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A new course and video series designed to demystify one of Para-sport’s most complex areas is set to be launched this week by Paralympics Australia in partnership with Sport Integrity Australia.
Classification is an essential part of Para-sport and the better it is understood, the more athletes, coaches, officials and others at all levels will be aware of rules and processes around classification and what their obligations and opportunities are.
The Classification Fundamentals project is the brainchild of Paralympics Australia Classification Manager Cathy Lambert who, upon her appointment in 2020, conducted a review with a wide variety of stakeholders to understand their challenges. A common theme, she found, was that education around classification was needed.
“It was clear that the gap in knowledge about classification was the cause of a lot of issues,” Lambert said.
“I discovered there were misunderstandings which needed to be ironed out in a sequential and methodical way to reduce the perceived level of complexity.”
Lambert said engaging more fans of Para-sport was a core objective of the project, providing both new and existing fans with classification information that was readily accessible in one portal and easily understood.
The result was the development of a six-module online course which takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete and provides clear and concise information about key topics. Module topics include who can compete in Para-sport, how classification works along the competition pathway and fairness and safety in classification. A second more advanced course is in production and likely to be launched in late 2022. It will be targeted towards athletes and staff in high performance programs and Australian Paralympic Teams.
“For those who are new to our movement, it can be daunting to find correct classification information in one place, so we just wanted to make this a course that is engaging, educational and convenient to everyone,” Lambert said.
“There will be introductory videos created by PA which walk people through the classification process – something that’s never happened before – and links to fact sheets on our website which will help. We hope these resources remove some of the nervousness that some people feel in this space. They’ll have the knowledge of why the process is the way it is and why we have these rules.”
Asked if Classification Fundamentals could help lift participation rates in sport and the fanbase of the Paralympic movement, Lambert said: “By everyone having the right messages and information, it’s going to help people engage better in Para-sport.
“It also complements other work PA is doing in this area, including educating the health referrers network – physios, OTs and others – to help them understand eligibility and opportunities. It might mean that when they come across clients who have a minimal impairment they can say, ‘Hey, did you realise you may be eligible to compete in Para-sport?
“They might come across people with a significant disability and not know that they, too, could be competing in Para-sport because of the way the classification system helps group athletes with similar activity limitations for competition. It’s similar to grouping athletes together by weight, age or gender.
“This course is something we’re really proud of and confident that it will take some of the confusion out of classification.”
Sport Integrity Australia’s Director of Education Alexis Cooper said partnering with Paralympics Australia was the “perfect fit” as both agencies strived to create safe and fair sporting competitions.
“Classification is one of the cornerstones of Paralympic sport because it ensures competitions can be both inclusive for people with a range of impairments, but also fair for everyone taking part,” Ms Cooper said.
“This course is designed not only for those involved in Para-sport to better understand the process but anyone interested in improving their knowledge about the types of impairments, the different levels of classification available and how they are decided.”
By: Paralympics Australia
Posted: 30 August 2022
