PARA ATHLETE COMPETITION INFORMATION
Athletics South Australia endorses an all-inclusive competition calendar. All events run by Athletics Australia and its Member Associations cater for Para-athletes. The following information describes the process for an athlete to compete a as a Para-athlete in South Australia.
Beginning Your Athletics Journey
Anyone with a disability can become a member of Athletics SA and compete.
To compete as a ‘Para-athlete’ you need to have an eligible classification under the rules of Athletics Australia.
An athlete who is looking to obtain a classification should first read through the classification page. Once an athlete has an understanding of the classification procedures for their impairment group, they can then express an interest to attend the next available classification opportunity.
Membership and Registration
To compete in athletics in South Australia, athletes must be a registered member of Athletics SA.
To register as a Para-athlete please ensure upon registration you put your classification after your last name i.e. Jones T/F36. If you have not been classified please put ‘To Be Classified’ after your last name.
To find out more information please view the membership page.
Competing
Athletics SA runs a summer and a winter program which registered athletes can participate in culminating in state championships.
Summer Events
Track Events (Including Race Running):
All track events are based on seeding meaning that athletes will be competing against others with a similar ability.
For more information on Race Running (Frame Running), please see the Race Running Australia website here.
Field Events:
Para-athletes will be competing in their age group, unless specified otherwise. Athletes will be identified as a Para-athlete by the classification after their last name and will throw the appropriate weight for their classification.
Wheelchair track and Seated throws:
Specialised wheelchair track and seated throws events can be included in the program, but only at the request of athletes.
To organise a wheelchair track or a seated throw event please contact Jon Henschke on (08) 8354 3477 or events@athleticssa.com.au.
Winter Events / Fun Runs
As most Winter Events and Fun Runs cater for a variety of abilities, Para-athletes will be integrated into the program. Athletes are not required to identify themselves as Para-athletes.
State Championships / SA All School games.
At all State Championships there will be Para-athlete events with Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals awarded to the U14, U16, U20 and Open age group.
At the All School Games there will be Para-athlete events with Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals awarded to the U16 and U18 age group.
As not all athletes are of the same classification, Athletics SA use Multi Disability Scoring Tables (MDS Tables) to rank the results of athletes competing against each other from various classes in the classification system. Meaning athletes who finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd or who threw/jumped the furthest may not necessarily be ranked in that order. For more information on the MDS table please click here.
If an athlete wishes to compete in the able bodied competition rather than the Para-athlete section they can do so however they must follow the rules and regulations of an able bodied competition.
Please note: Athletes must select if they are competing as an able-bodied athlete or para athlete. They cannot compete in both categories for the same event at the same championships.
National Championships
In Australia there are various national championships available to Para-athletes;
Australian All Schools Athletics Championships
The national championships for school students conducted annually in December. This is a team’s event where athletes represent their state member association. For more information please visit the All Schools State Team Page.
Australian Junior Championships
The national championships for all registered members under the age of 20 across Australia. This event occurs annually at the end of March following on from each Member Associations state junior championships event. For more information please visit the Australian Junior Championship page.
Australian Open Championships
The Australian Open Championships are run and conducted annually in March/April by Athletics Australia. It is the final event of the Australian track & field season. The event is conducted as an open age event and entries are taken directly through Athletics Australia, for more information please view the Athletics Australia Events Section.