Sport
30 April, 2022
Youfor2032 FNQ ATHLETE SEARCH
THE Palaszczuk Government’s Youfor2032 Olympic and Paralympic athlete talent search is underway, with young Far North Queenslanders sampling the Queensland Academy of Sport’s (QAS) testing program for the elite stars of tomorrow.
Sport Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe said Youfor2032 was Australia’s largest athlete talent identification program.
“Youfor2032 registrations are now open to maximise Queensland’s podium-ready athletes for the State’s 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We’re encouraging coaches, teachers and parents to nominate aspiring young FNQ athletes for a possible fast-track to 2032 with the QAS.
“QAS Talent scouts are expecting up to 50,000 Youfor2032 registrations.
“They’ll pick the best 20,000 young Queenslanders for comprehensive testing over the next two years.
“Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls will be tested for speed, endurance, agility, resilience, cognitive ability and determination for medals in 2032.
“Queensland athletes won more than 40% of Australia’s Olympic and Paralympic medal haul, and we want to build on that.”
The QAS talent identification program - Youfor2032 - looks for potential Olympians aged 13 to 23 and prospective Paralympians aged 13 to 30.
Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said Barlow Park was earmarked as an Olympic venue for 2032.
“It’s great to have Olympic football preliminaries planned for Barlow Park, but the park’s athletics track is where Youfor2032 might also find young Far North Queenslanders who can run faster, jump higher or throw further,” Mr Pitt said.
“Whether you’re in Yarrabah, Gordonvale, Cooktown, Cairns or on the Tablelands, if you know a young Queenslander with remarkable athletic potential, nominate them for Youfor2032.”
Member for Barron River and Minister Seniors, Disability Services and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said the Far North had always been home to champions.
“Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson is a great example of the Far North delivering medal winners on the world stage,” Mr Crawford said.
“A former Redlynch State College student, Grant achieved his childhood dream to grab Paralympic silver and bronze at last year’s Tokyo Games.”
The Palaszczuk Government has doubled QAS funding to $29.3 million to help high-performance experts cultivate Queensland’s potential stars of 2032 in 17 sporting disciplines, including Triathlon, Swimming, Cycling BMX and Sprint Canoeing.
Paralympics Australia CEO Catherine Clark said a Paralympics at home provided a once-in-a-generation opportunity for emerging para-athletes and, more broadly, for people with a disability.
“High-performance requires incredible courage, hard work and perseverance.
These are traits Queenslanders are renowned for, so I am confident we will unearth some exciting talent,” Ms Clark said.
QAS Chief Executive Chelsea Warr said QAS would wrap its world-class expertise around 400 selected athletes in systematic development programs in partnership with sporting codes.
“This is about widening the net further and ensuring no stone is left unturned in providing aspiring athletes with opportunity,” Ms Warr said. “Testing sessions will be organised in partnership with schools, universities, councils and school sports districts.
“We want to provide you an opportunity to see how good you could be while recognising the journey of pursuing excellence is demanding.”
QAS Youfor2032 athletic testing in Far North Queensland is expected to begin in July. To register for Youfor2032 go to: www.qld.gov.au/youfor2032
