A special Mini Paralympics event in Alice Springs brought together young athletes to try out sports like athletics, wheelchair basketball, boccia, and badminton as part of a national push to find and develop para sport talent ahead of Brisbane 2032. Fourteen-year-old Quade Stone, who has cerebral palsy, said playing wheelchair basketball with others showed him “you’re not alone,” and dreamed of representing Australia at the Games.
The day connected regional athletes to coaching, equipment, and development pathways, as part of the federally funded Para System Uplift program to boost awareness and participation in para sports. Organisers and participants spoke of the joy and community sport can bring.