Golden moment for equality in sport
UQ partners with Paralympics Australia to put Brisbane on track for 2032 glory
From Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo and Madeira to Manchester, swimming has taken Lakeisha Patterson OAM around the world.
Along the way, the UQ student has collected almost as many Paralympic and Commonwealth Games medals as she has passport stamps. But the swimming sensation known as ‘Lucky’ admits she’s one of the fortunate few Para-athletes to be given the opportunity to pursue her sporting dream.
However, change is on the horizon following the announcement of a nationally significant partnership between UQ and Paralympics Australia.
The partnership will provide a unique opportunity for 2 world-leading organisations to merge resources and create positive change through the power of sport.
The collaboration will also see UQ students in a variety of professional programs completing industry placements with Paralympics Australia, starting this year.
Three out of 4 Australians with a disability want to participate in sport. Currently, only one in 4 do, and Patterson (pictured) said the UQ and Paralympics Australia partnership will play a role in changing those statistics.
“People with disabilities make up a large proportion of our population, yet they're so often underrepresented,” the Bachelor of Communication student said.
“I think a lot of people forget that Paralympic athletes are elite athletes first and foremost, and they’re training just as hard to reach the pinnacle of their sport.
“We see a lot of studies into elite athletes and how they can boost their performance, but not as much research into Para-athletes and how different impairment types and other components can help or hinder their preparation.
“Paralympics Australia combining with UQ’s incredible knowledge and expertise will help athletes grow and work on those ‘one-percenters’ to become better on the world stage.
“That's what it's all about; we're all trying to improve every day and inclusion is so important. We need equal access to opportunities to get to the next level.”
The collaboration was unveiled at UQ’s St Lucia campus last week, and followed an announcement by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk that a new Paralympics Australia base will open in Brisbane. Space will also be available at the University to enable closer planning and collaboration in the lead up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
With UQ ranked second in the world for sports science, Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deborah Terry said the 2032 Paralympics presents an extraordinary opportunity to apply UQ’s knowledge and expertise to encourage and support Para-athletes.
“As the Official Higher Education Partner of Paralympics Australia, UQ will build, innovate, research, educate and advocate for broad inclusion and diversity while also increasing the opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in regular sport and physical activity,” Professor Terry said.
“This partnership will allow us to assist para-athletes to engage in regular sport and physical activity, including training for and participation in sporting competition.
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Catherine Clark and UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deborah Terry AO. Image: David Kelly
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Catherine Clark and UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deborah Terry AO. Image: David Kelly
“Our highly sought-after graduates will be even better prepared for future success through enriching real-life educational experiences.
“Consistent with UQ’s Disability Action Plan, we will also ensure our curricula and the experience of students in programs from across the University match our goal of providing positive social and physical benefits to people with disabilities, their families, carers and the broader community.”
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Catherine Clark said the collaboration with UQ was another step towards achieving Paralympic Australia's vision of a world-leading and equitable sport system.
“This wonderful collaboration with UQ will help deliver our stated ambition to lead, develop and leverage partnerships to build capability and enhance Paralympic sport equity and success towards and beyond 2032,” Ms Clark said.
“Following the establishment of The Queensland Network for Paralympic Performance Enhancement and Applied Sports Research in 2021 and our ongoing engagement with the National Institute of Network, Paralympic Australia continues to look for more ways to engage with partners – existing and new – to build the capacity and capability of the Paralympic movement.
“This potential of the collaboration is incredibly exciting, and I believe its positive and meaningful impact can stretch far beyond Para-sport.”
Image: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
With all eyes on Brisbane in the lead up to 2032, Patterson currently has her sights set on the 2023 Para Swimming World Championships in Manchester from 31 July to 6 August, where the 2016 and 2021 Paralympic gold medallist hopes to continue her dominance in the S9 400 metres freestyle.
She will also be competing in the S9 100 metres freestyle, as well as the SM9 200 metres individual medley.
Lakeisha Patterson in action during the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Image: Paralympics Australia
Lakeisha Patterson in action during the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Image: Paralympics Australia
While Patterson enjoys travelling and competing internationally, she said she’s incredibly excited that her home state will host the 2032 Paralympic and Olympic Games.
“Experiencing the atmosphere at my first Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 was amazing. However, having the opportunity to compete at an international level for my country – in my country – at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games was overwhelmingly memorable,” she said.
“Hosting the Paralympics and Olympics in Brisbane in 2032 will greatly benefit the performances of Australian athletes. Home-crowd support gives athletes the advantage, lifting them to another level with greater desire and untapped potential.
“I believe the UQ partnership with Paralympics Australia will help improve talent identification and give Australia an edge as we prepare for the next Paralympic Games, not just 2032.”
Brisbane on track to be Australia's home of Paralympic sport
The Queensland Government and The University of Queensland have each committed $44 million funding to establish a world-leading Paralympic Centre of Excellence at UQ’s St Lucia campus.
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