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What is
Xccelerate 2 Xcellence?
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X2X Athlete Profiles
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Who should apply for Xccelerate 2 Xcellence?
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How does it work and what is involved?
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How do I
apply for Xccelerate 2 Xcellence?
What is
Xccelerate 2 Xcellence?
Xccelerate 2 Xcellence is
the Paralympics New Zealand talent search programme aimed at identifying people
with disabilities who
display the athletic potential to win medals for New Zealand at the Paralympic Games.
Xccelerate 2 Xcellence was first launched in 2009 with 140 applications received
from potential new athletes wishing to be part of the programme. A total of 85
athletes were tested; with 48
athletes being selected in the Xccelerate 2 Xcellence programme and more than 90
athletes becoming active in Paralympic Sport at some level.
With the London 2012
Paralympic Games fast approaching, a number of Xccelerate 2 Xcellence athletes
are now immersed in the High Performance Programme and tracking towards
selection in the New Zealand Paralympic Games team, while others are well into
their journey towards the 2016 Rio Paralympic
Games and beyond.
X2X Athletes: Season 1 (2009-2010)
Click on the photos below to find out what some of the Xccelerate 2 Xcellence
athletes from Season 1 are up to now.
X2X Athletes: Season 2 (2011-2012)
Click on the photos below to find out more about some of the future stars of Xccelerate 2 Xcellence
Season 2.
Who should apply for
Xccelerate 2 Xcellence?
Whether you are a competitive athlete who is looking to transfer into
Paralympic Sport, or someone who is interested in getting involved in sport for
the first time, Paralympics New Zealand invites you to complete and return the
X2X Application Form.
We are targeting:
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People with disabilities who have a training background and/or have competed in
either able-bodied or disabled sport.
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Young people with disabilities who demonstrate the early signs of becoming a
Paralympic medallist.
We also
see an opportunity for athletes to transfer their talent from one sport to
another – if it will provide an increased opportunity for them to win medals at
future Paralympic Games.
Athletes will be assessed on their
potential to become a Paralympic medalists through their skill level, attitude,
commitment and coachability.
The search includes, but is not limited to the following disability groups:
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Amputee
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Blind or Visually Impaired
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Club Foot
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Palsy
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Dwarfism
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Dysmelia or Limb Deficiencies
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Spina Bifida
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Injury
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Intellectual Disability (Athletics,
Swimming and Table Tennis only)
How does it work and what is involved?
All registered athletes will be provided with information on local sports
organisations, sports clubs, coaches and/or training opportunities within their
region. They will also be added to the mailing list to receive updates on future
events and competitions.
Those identified by Paralympics New Zealand as showing potential will be
encouraged to take the next step on the Paralympic Pathway, which will vary from
sport to sport and person to person.
Examples of what these next steps may be include:
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Classification assessment
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Joining a sports club
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Aligning with a sports specific coach
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Identifying equipment needs
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Committing to a regular training programme
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Participate in regular competition
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Invitation to sports specific training camps
Registering your interest for Xccelerate 2 Xcellence is the first step in the
process of becoming a Paralympic athlete. In most cases, it will take years of
training, preparation and commitment to reach the standards required to compete
at the Paralympic Games.
For more information see the X2X Application & Selection Process document below:
X2X
Information & Selection Process
How do I
apply for Xccelerate 2 Xcellence?
To apply complete the
X2X Application Form and return it to
Paralympics New Zealand.
For more information contact:
Hadleigh Pierson
Athlete Development Manager
Email:
hpierson@paralympics.org.nz
Mobile: 021 847 820 (text or call)
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