“This financial investment, combined with these new leadership appointments, means the APC is better positioned to explore marketing and commercial opportunities before and after the Rio Paralympic Games.”

Australia’s para-athletes have received a further boost to preparations for the Rio 2016 Games with the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) providing financial assistance of up to AUD 3.5 million to the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC).

The ASC also welcomed the appointment of four new directors to the APC Board: John Hartigan, former News Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO); Rosie King, General Manager, People and Culture at Geelong Australian Football League (AFL) club; Jock O’Callaghan, Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC); and Helen Nott, National Manager of New Markets at Insurance Australia Group.

The Board announcements come after the APC appointed Lynne Anderson, former Managing Director of Repucom International, Australia and New Zealand, as their new CEO.

The APC experienced financial challenges after the London 2012 Paralympics and has been working closely with the ASC on governance reform. The ASC’s additional investment is a one-off, comprising a loan of up to AUD 2.5 million and a AUD million grant that will go directly toward the Australian Paralympic Team’s Rio 2016 campaign.

APC President Glenn Tasker thanked the ASC for its support and said he was pleased by the diverse range of skills and expertise added to the APC’s leadership structure.

“The APC has undergone significant operational change in recent months and I am confident that the appointment of our new Board Directors will further aid us in our push towards advancing Australia’s Paralympic team,” Tasker said.

“Our new Directors and our new CEO bring with them skills and views which will only strengthen the organisation. Together with our existing directors and their wealth of experience, I believe we have the ingredients to drive our movement forward.

“I would like to take the opportunity to express our thanks to the Australian Sports Commission for the financial assistance and organisational support they have provided. This gives us the ability to continue to fully focus on our preparations for Rio and raise the remaining funds to deliver a successful Australian team.”

The APC also announced this month a four-year AUD 2.2 million partnership with WorkCover NSW, an AUD 1 million increase on their existing partnership.

ASC Chair John Wylie said the ASC’s additional investment provides financial stability for the APC, business growth opportunities and ensures Australia’s para-athletes can focus on preparation for Rio.

“This financial investment, combined with these new leadership appointments, means the APC is better positioned to explore marketing and commercial opportunities before and after the Rio Paralympic Games,” Wylie said.

“Importantly, this financial investment also gives our Paralympic aspirants the confidence and assurance to continue their preparations for Rio with relentless dedication. Australia’s Paralympic athletes have consistently proven themselves to be among the best in the world and their sustained success has seen our nation finish top-five in the Paralympic Games medal-tally since 1996. These athletes deserve our support.”

In addition to the AUD 3.5 million investment in the APC, the ASC will provide almost AUD 12 million in grants to National Sporting Organisations for high-performance para-sport in 2015-16.