{"id":32406,"date":"2026-10-23T07:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T07:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=32406"},"modified":"2026-10-23T07:15:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T07:15:00","slug":"new-gold-coast-training-centre-unveiled-for-australian-para-powerlifting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=32406","title":{"rendered":"New Gold Coast Training Centre Unveiled For Australian Para Powerlifting"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n<\/p>\n
\n
Australian Para Powerlifting has received a huge boost after plans were unveiled for a new high performance training centre on the Gold Coast.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Friday that the Federal Government will contribute $15 million towards the development of a Gold Coast Titans Community Hub and High Performance Centre, alongside a $10 million investment from the Queensland Government and support from the City of Gold Coast, which has committed the site for the project.<\/p>\n
The universally designed facility will also see the establishment of a new high performance base for Australian Para powerlifters within the broader development, bringing together elite sporting programs in an environment designed to support athletes of all abilities.<\/p>\nPara powerlifter Hani Watson<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Kim Ellwood, General Manager at Para Powerlifting Australia, said the new centre will provide significant opportunities to strengthen the high performance pathway for Australian Para powerlifters.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are in a very important era for our sport and our program as we continue our work to expand opportunities for Para powerlifters from across Australia to access the coaching, facilities and support they require to reach their potential,\u201d Ellwood said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have made significant progress, with strong backing from the Federal Government and Paralympics Australia, and this announcement today will undoubtedly position our program for even more success over the coming years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Gold Coast holds a special place in Australian Para powerlifting having hosted several of our national championships, so the prospect of a new permanent base there is incredibly exciting for our Para powerlifting community,\u201d Ellwood said.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
The Gold Coast holds a special place in Australian Para powerlifting having hosted several of our national championships, so the prospect of a new permanent base there is incredibly exciting for our Para powerlifting community.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tKim Ellwood, Para powerlifting\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cThe development represents another opportunity to strengthen the Gold Coast\u2019s reputation as a destination for high performance sport while supporting a more inclusive sporting environment for athletes with disability.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are grateful to the Federal and Queensland Governments for their outstanding and ongoing support for our sport, and to the Gold Coast Titans for initiating discussions with Para Powerlifting Australia and recognising what we could achieve together \u2013 we\u2019re looking forward to working with the organisation with the shared ambition to pursue high performance success while we contribute meaningfully to the Gold Coast.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Albanese said the investment would support sporting opportunities from grassroots participation through to the elite competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis investment is about backing sport at every level from children having their first run on the field with their teammates to athletes representing the green and gold on the world stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
This investment is about backing sport at every level from children having their first run on the field with their teammates to athletes representing the green and gold on the world stage.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n\t\t\tPrime Minister Anthony Albanese\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells said the Albanese Government was proud to invest in centres like this that will help get more people into sport, particularly women and girls.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will be more than a high-performance and training centre; it will be a place for the community, where the next generation of talent will develop and where women and girls will have access to an amazing facility,\u201d Minister Wells said.<\/p>\n
Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said the investment would deliver a lasting legacy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough genuine partnership across all levels of government, this initiative will provide enduring benefits to Queenslanders for decades to come and a long-term legacy for 2032 and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the announcement, building on Council\u2019s support for the project through its commitment of the Emerald Lakes site in Carrara.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil got the ball rolling by providing the land for the project and this is another great \u2018city deal\u2019 where three levels of government work together to get outcomes for our city. The Gold Coast Titans have put a lot of time and money into rugby league and I know that Para sport is also a passion for the Frizelle family. I acknowledge this vision and I\u2019m thrilled to see this come together for the city.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gold Coast Titans owners Rebecca and Brett Frizelle welcomed the opportunity to engage with Australian Para Powerlifting as part of the development.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited by the opportunity to partner with Para sport and its powerlifting program, helping provide athletes with the facilities and support they need as they build towards elite international competitions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is exactly the type of legacy we want this facility to deliver for the Gold Coast and Australian sport more broadly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Further details on the facility\u2019s final design and inclusions will be confirmed as planning progresses.<\/p>\n\n
![\"Athlete](\"https:\/\/assets.paralympic.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/2025_PA_PWL_CHAMPS_WATSON-Hani_W86KG_8091-1-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"2025_PA_PWL_CHAMPS_WATSON")
![\"Sean](\"https:\/\/assets.paralympic.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PA25_Winter_Starting-Line_09-900x600-1.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"author](\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8fc27e1c3288d31a307fff962363a44601a56ac947ffdf7fd9e02cc8749d19c9?s=300&d=mm&r=g\")
\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n