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Para Athlete Pathway
In alignment with the Welsh Athletics Strategy the pathway for para athletes is now fully integrated into the Performance Pathway. Each para athlete will be supported through the same IAP, AMS, training and competition structures.
The Performance Pathway is made up of three progressive levels which are measured and underpinned by a robust development curriculum.
The levels are NDP, Transition and NDP.
The National Development Programme (NDP) is the entry-level programme for identified talented athletes across all event groups. NDP athletes will experience up to 12 contact days per year where education, performance behaviours and event-specific physical, technical, and tactical development will form the basis of the performance curriculum. Training and competition plans will be agreed upon between athletes and coaches through the Individual Athlete Planning (IAP) process and engagement agreement process with opportunities provided and part funded by the athlete and programme. The entry age of the NDP athlete will be 14 years of age but there will be no defined upper age limit which allows for later maturation athletes to engage in this programme. Only athletes who are deemed talented based on their athlete profile will be invited to engage with the NDP programme.
The Transition Programme focuses on individualising the approach to athletic development with a clear focus on transitioning athletes into senior international athletes. All athletes within this programme will be selected based on their performance history and athletic profile. All competition and training planning will be agreed upon through the IAP and athlete engagement process. The age of the athlete engaged within the programme will be based on an age and stage readiness approach based on performance evidence. Athletes within this programme will be determined to have the potential to perform at International senior level.
The Performance Programme exclusively includes athletes who demonstrate the ability to win medals at The Commonwealth Games or who are progressing to selection levels to be invited to the UKA World Class Programme. This programme will also act as a safety net for athletes falling out of the World Class system where the IAP and clear outcome targets will be agreed upon for continued inclusion within the programme. The programme support package will be completely tailored to the needs of the athlete with all decisions regarding IAP planning to be evidence-based related to the athlete/event profiles.
If you want to get involved in para athletics or have any queries, please contact our Para Athletics Coordinator, Neil Taylor neil.taylor@welshathletics.org.
To get involved, you can also fill out the #Inspire form (Disability Sport Wales) and someone will get in touch.
The Disability Sport Wales (DSW) #inspire campaign is a way that you, or someone who knows you, can let us know that you have the potential to achieve more in para and/or disability sport. DSW will collect some information about you and will use this information to:
- Help understand your potential, and which sports you have experience of already.
- Get in touch with you to talk about what you would like to achieve in sport.
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