The journey to the Paralympic Games is a monumental undertaking, not just for the athletes but also for the coaches who guide them. A recent study dives into the challenges and pressures faced by Australian coaches as they prepared their athletes for the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Through a series of interviews, the study uncovers the multifaceted obstacles these coaches encounter and the strategies they deploy to navigate the intense world of Paralympic sport.
One of the primary challenges for coaches is dealing with budgetary constraints. The study reveals that as the Paralympics draw closer, the pressure to attend qualifying tournaments increases, but the available budget often falls short. This financial strain forces coaches to make tough decisions about which athletes can participate in crucial competitions. For example, one coach mentioned having to reduce the number of athletes taken to a tournament from 15 to just eight due to limited resources. These decisions can be heart-wrenching, as they directly impact the opportunities available to the athletes under their care.
Cover image courtesy of FCN – Coaches Carla Nicholls of Canada and Raylene Bates of New Zealand
