Great news for aspiring Brisbane Paralympians! Sporting Wheelies will soon open a new Para Sports Clubhouse and training facility in Milton.
The old Umart Online office and warehouse along Kilroe St will be refurbished into the future Paralympics training facility as Sporting Wheelies signed a seven-year lease of the 1700-square-meter site. It will proudly be an Australian-first initiative.
“The Sporting Wheelies Para Sports Clubhouse will be an inclusive sports hub supporting para-athletes on the road to Brisbane 2032 and inspiring people with a disability to get active and participate in the community,” the organisation announced, adding that the initiative will be a game changer.
“The Milton centre will combine industry-leading facilities with world-class rehabilitation and support services, bringing together disability experts, allied health specialists, Para Sports coaches, and the world’s best academics to improve the lives of people with a disability through co-design and innovation.”
For many years following his accident, Paralympian Luke Matthews has regarded Sporting Wheelies as a vital part of his life. Thus, having this clubhouse will be a big deal for his fellow Paralympians. Mr Matthews is currently training for a sporting event in Japan.
Previously, the training facility was up and running in Bowen Hills and moved to Albion in 2020. However, the organisation began looking for a bigger site near the train stations at Milton and Auchenflower to be more convenient for its members.
The Para Sports Clubhouse is earmarked for a February 2023 opening and includes a cafe managed by people with a disability.
