WHEN Kurt Fearnley made his racing debut as a 14-year-old it was in a normal wheelchair, while his first race chair came after Carcoar residents dug deep to raise $10,000.
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Since then Fearnley has not only gone on to become one of Australia's Paralympic greats, but the profile and support for para athletes has increased significantly.
On Wednesday it was announced that the the Australian Institute of Sport will increase direct investment into Paralympic sport by more than $3 million in 2021-22.
Fearnley, who has now retired from racing but acts as the Australian Sports Commission commissioner, said the funding announcement was vital for the future recognition and growth of Paralympic sport.
"It is 20 years since the Sydney 2000 Paralympics, which helped create an incredible legacy for Paralympic sport in Australia. We've worked hard to maintain that culture of success and the requirement to be a Paralympic athlete now means you need your heart, soul and life committed to that sport," Fearnley said.
"So we're investing and creating new pathways to ensure we keep our reputation as one of the strongest Para-sport communities in the world.
"A key feature of this Paralympic funding is that it's being directed straight to national sporting organisations so that sports can take real ownership in developing their Paralympic programs.
"That's important to ensure we raise the prominence of Paralympic programs right across Australian sport."
The 13 Paralympic programs receiving an increase in funding are: archery; athletics; basketball; bowls; cycling; paddle; equestrian; rowing; rugby; triathlon; table tennis; shooting and swimming.