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Para Athletes
Para athletics is the sport of athletics
for people with a range of impairments. Para athletes compete in a range of track, field, road or cross-country events.
Para athletics events are held for men and women over a range of classifications and disciplines. Classification determines who is eligible to compete and groups athletes into sports classes according to their type of impairment and how much it affects their ability to carry out athletics activities. Impairment types in Para athletics include visual, intellectual, coordination, limb loss or shortening, decreased joint movement, muscle weakness and short stature. Some Para athletes compete in wheelchairs, some with prostheses, while those who are visually impaired may receive guidance from a sighted guide.
Para Athletics Handbook
Click here to view the full Athletics New Zealand Para Athletics Handbook
Adaptive Run Jump Throw Coaching Resource
Click here to view an adaptive version of the Run Jump Throw coaching resource
2023 – 2024 Season: NZ Para Athlete Rankings
Click here to view the NZ Para Athlete Rankings for the 2023 – 2024 season
For any errors or omissions, please contact Raylene Bates.
Approved Meets Calendar
Athletes wishing to qualify for World Para Athletics Rankings, which will be used for qualifying performances for Athletics New Zealand International Para Athletics Teams, must compete at World Para Athletics Approved Meets.
VIEW upcoming Approved Meets in New Zealand
view all approved meets in Australia
view all other World Para Athletics approved meets
International Paralympic Committee
Licensing Progress
Any athlete wishing to compete internationally, appear on the World Para Athletics Rankings, or attend international classification must have a valid IPC Athlete License. Athletes seeking an International Paralympic Committee Athlete Licence must adhere to the following steps for new and renewing athletes:
New Athletes
All new athletes need to provide relevant Classification documentation for licensing. Forms are available on request from Rebecca Foulsham.
Renewing Athletes
Athletes who currently have an international classification through World Para Athletics will have their license renewed by Athletics New Zealand. For more information please contact Raylene Bates.
Provisional / National Classification
Please find attached Provisional Classification forms (Colgate Games, club meets and provincial/regional events) and National Classification (national level events e.g. New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand Championships, Australian Championships, etc).
Download Resources:
Athletics NZ Physical Impairment Medical Diagnostics Form
Athletics New Zealand Visual Impairment Medical Diagnostics Form
Intellectual Impairment Eligibility Form
PNZ Intellectual Impairment National Eligibility Guidance Notes
Please return completed forms to Rebecca Foulsham.
International Classification
The World Para Athletics classification system serves two key purposes:
1. Determining Eligibility:
The system defines who is eligible to compete in
World Para Athletics competitions.
To be eligible for Para Athletics, a person must have an eligible impairment type and the impairment must be judged to be severe enough to have an impact on the sport of athletics. Minimum Disability Criteria (MDC) are described in the World Para Athletics Classification Rules and Regulations.
2. Sport Class Allocation
The system describes methods for dividing eligible athletes up into sport classes. The aim is that each class should consist of athletes who have impairments that cause approximately the same amount of activity limitation in the key athletic disciplines – running, wheelchair racing, jumps and throws.
More Information on International Classification can be found here.
Athletes wishing to represent Athletics New Zealand at an international event must hold a World Para Athletics International Classification. Their opportunities are conducted by World Para Athletics.
For more information on International Classification opportunities for Athletes with a Physical, Vision or Intellectual Impairment please contact rebecca@athletics.org.nz.
View a complete table of The World Para Athletics Implement Weights