Galvin & Toby run riot in dominant half
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ABC News
42 minutes ago
- ABC News
This elite sports unit is uncovering Australia's next Paralympic stars
A sporting career was never on the cards for Kirsty Maiden but she is set to become a success story of a para sports unit at the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI). Following a below-the-knee amputation, the 35-year-old's journey began after attending a Future Green and Gold come-and-try day in December last year, with coaches identifying proficiency in kayaking and canoeing. Despite showing promise with a paddle in hand, coaches suggested that Maiden take part in the Launch Pad Program to explore other pathways and how high-performance sport works. From learning about the importance of nutrition and recovery to meeting people with similar impairments for the first time, Maiden said the Para Unit was life-changing. "None of this would have been possible before my amputation. It is a hard situation, but it has opened the doors to pursue an opportunity I never could've imagined," Maiden said. Maiden has spent the last eight months meticulously training in the hopes of making a splash at the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Games in her chosen sport of kayaking. "Most people my age would be retiring from sport, so starting sport at my age is a bit daunting. I just want to keep training really hard and aim for world championships," she said. While the 35-year-old is firmly focused on the not-too-distant future, she admits that the prospect of representing Australia at the Paralympics would be "incredibly special". "Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps," she said. The dedicated Para Unit at SASI has already identified 13 athletes with a range of impairments through its Launch Pad Program. Launched late last year, the unit is just one of several that have been established within state-based Institutes of Sport, providing opportunities, resources, and support for athletes to reach their potential. The eight-week program at SASI, held between May and July this year, saw athletes take part in various sports, including wheelchair basketball, athletics, boccia, fencing and archery. Two-time Paralympic cycling gold medallist and para unit lead Emily Petricola knows the dedication and sacrifice required to succeed at the highest level. While her cycling exploits delivered iconic moments on the world stage, Petricola now has her eyes firmly on the future and is passionate about building Australia's most successful team ever. "We are trying to find the next generation of Paralympic talent and we are also really trying to create a really strong pathway for any individual living with a disability to get involved with sport at the grassroots level and all the way to the very peak at the Paralympics," Petricola said. Following the country's worst performance in nearly four decades in Paris last year, the federal government, in partnership with Paralympics Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport, committed $54.9 million to para sport — more than double the previous level of funding. Part of this funding has been used for the para units. The generational shift in support for athletes with a disability has seen Petricola declare the investment "the most important thing to happen to Paralympic Sport in its history." "It's about time, but it's also well-needed and well-received," she said. Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ Petricola told ABC Sport the funding had already started to bear fruit, with the para unit welcoming athletes from various age groups and connecting them with high-performance pathways — including Maiden. Maiden has no shortage of inspiration during her pursuit of success, with para transition coach and fellow amputee Jed Altschwager proving age is far from an obstacle. A late starter himself, Altschwager won Paralympic gold in rowing in Paris at the age of 37. Now retired, he is tasked with discovering the next generation of Australian champions. "The fact is, it's really possible for anyone with a disability. What we can do with the Para Unit is help facilitate and connect those people to any sport," he said. Finding the next Paralympic champion is easier said than done, but the Para Unit has been tirelessly engaging with schools, allied health providers, paediatricians and other relevant services to ensure no stone is left unturned. Altschwager said that the 13 athletes who took part in this year's inaugural Launch Pad Program have already created "a sense of community and connection." "We have great lived experience in the unit, including three Paralympians, and strength and conditioning coaches with cerebral palsy," Altschwager said. "Put that all together in a melting pot and it creates a great environment for the athletes coming through." With a world-class training facility and staff who are leaders in their field, the foundation is set for South Australian talent to develop and strive for gold on the world stage. "All of us have been able to witness the athletes blossom and bloom within this environment over the past few months," Petricola said. "For some of our younger athletes, we expect them to go out and try a number of sports. But when it's time to focus and become a Paralympic champion, we are here ready and waiting."
News.com.au
42 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Shock truth behind iconic Andrew Flintoff and Brett Lee image revealed
Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff's famous photo of him bending down alongside Brett Lee has become synonymous with good sportsmanship. The photo was taken during the second test of the 2005 Ashes Series, with England hero Flintoff bending down and touching the shoulder of the Aussie following his side's crushing last-over defeat. The match is remembered as one of cricket's greatest Tests with Australia coming agonisingly close to pulling off a miracle victory. Chasing 282 runs for victory, the Aussie batting line-up fell apart as they fell to be 9/220. Lee combined with fellow pace bowler Michael Kasprowicz to put on a 59 run stand. But with only three runs required for the win, Steve Harmison delivered for England as he removed Kasprowicz to secure a famous victory. As celebrations broke out all over the ground, Flintoff quickly turned away from his teammates and consoled a dejected Lee who was hunched over on the crease. But now the real truth behind that image - plastered across newspapers the world over and one of the most recognisable photos in modern cricket - has come to light. Indeed, Flintoff's gesture was certainly not as kind as it might have seemed to those watching from afar. Instead, according to Lee and former England captain Michael Atherton, he was delivering a brutal private sledge. Flintoff, now 47, crouched down and said: 'That's one-all, you Aussie b******.' 'That might have been thrown in there,' Lee said to the Daily Mail. 'He's just a guy that has just given his all, who's been great for world cricket, and his sportsmanship is just second to none. 'He's an absolute beauty.' England would go on to win the Ashes for the first time in 16 years following the Edgbaston triumph - with the two-run victory that day still the tightest finish in Ashes history. And despite the defeat on the day, Lee, 48, rates it as the best match he played in his career. 'He's that loveable character,' Lee said. 'Not real loveable though when he's bowling 95 miles an hour at your ribs, I can testify to that. 'Probably one of the most special moments in my career was that 2005 Ashes series and certainly that epic battle that we had at Edgbaston. 'Even though we lost, I'd still put that down as one of my favourite games, purely the way it was played and the sportsmanship that was on show.' The next Ashes series takes place Down Under, with England eyeing a first victory in 10 years and first in Australia since 2010.
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘A dream of mine': Keaon Koloamatangi looms as perfect Payne Haas replacement
At a time when all the spotlight is on players defecting from Australia to rising Pacific powerhouses, South Sydney star Keaon Koloamatangi says he'd be open to playing for the Kangaroos in the Ashes if he's selected. There's a spot available in the middle after Payne Haas declared he'd represent Samoa at the Pacific Championships later this year, and no one deserves a spot like Koloamatangi, who has been outstanding for the Rabbitohs in 2025. Koloamatangi worked tirelessly in the off-season to get in the best shape of his career, and it's paid off with the 27-year-old starring on the edge and at prop where he's had to fill in given how many injuries Souths have had. And he hasn't just filled in, with the one-time Blue cracking 200m three times and punching out big minutes this season, which is why so many people were shocked he didn't earn an Origin recall. He will be playing rep footy at the end of the year, but it's just a question of whether he adds to his 10 Tongan caps or if he gets to travel to the UK and pull on the green and gold jersey for the first time. 'My mum is Australian and my dad is Tongan, so playing for the Kangaroos is a dream of mine, as was Tonga,' he said. 'If I was able to get the chance, I'd obviously give it a thought. 'But I'm just taking it a week at a time and I need to be picked first. I'm not too stressed about that. 'I haven't spoken to anyone (from the Kangaroos) so whatever happens, happens. I live day by day and everything happens for a reason, so I'm sure the right thing will come.' International footy wasn't even on Koloamatangi's radar when he suffered a high-grade syndesmosis injury in round 20 that required surgery and was meant to keep him out for the rest of the season. But Koloamatangi was desperate to get back given Souths were missing so many stars, with the mobile forward also wanting to be there when Alex Johnston broke Ken Irvine's try-scoring record. Koloamatangi returned in Thursday's win over the Dragons and ran for more metres than any other forward, while Johnston grabbed a try to move within two of tying the record. Keaon Koloamatangi will go for scans on a right ankle injury after getting his boot caught in the turf during a tackle. Mechanism involved foot turning to the outside - brings concern for syndesmosis injury. Was said to be the initial concern from the sideline - considering… — NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 18, 2025 'With the year that we've had and the forwards that we've missed, I pride myself on being available each week,' he said after the game. 'I was upset when I got injured because I love playing for this team. I was upset, but I didn't have too bad of an injury. I came back in a month, and there are lots of worse injuries out there, so I'm grateful for that. 'It's a pretty easy (injury to rehab). As soon as you finish surgery, they want you moving it to get the range back because the injury tightens everything up. 'I got my range back pretty quickly, which I was grateful for, so everything went ahead of schedule. I don't know how, but I'm grateful. 'I was pretty disappointed when I got injured and was told that I'd be out for the rest of the year, so I took that as a bit of a challenge and tried to come back. 'Obviously 'AJ' was one thing (motivating me) because I want to be part of history, so hopefully he gets it done this year. 'I don't want to say that to him, but I think everyone wants to be a part of history because I don't think it'll ever be done again. It's too hard to get too many tries.'
