The Queensland Network for Paralympic Performance Enhancement and Applied Sports Research signals what is described as the next generation of collaboration in this field.

The network involves Paralympics Australia (PA), the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) and teams from The University of Queensland, University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland University of Technology as well as the state’s peak para-sports organisation the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association.

"There have been multiple collaborations in place for some time between the different organisations but this agreement brings those links together and takes advantage of the expertise available to form a world-leading Para-sport research network," said Paralympics Australia’s innovation lead Dr Ross Pinder.

"The network will allow us to continue to evolve how we work with sports, how we collaborate with coaches and athletes and how we seek out the best researchers and practitioners in the world.

"Three of the best universities to work with in Para-sport are in South-East Queensland.

"The agreement will allow us to access more expertise, embed more students in our sports and better answer the questions that our athletes and coaches want to ask.

"More broadly, the focus on athletes with a disability - including people with a physical, intellectual or vision impairment - can have wider societal impacts.

"Considering the role of universal design in research can solve problems that may not only improve the performances of our athletes, but spark impacts beyond Para-sport, for instance, improving accessibility to public transport.

"Everyone’s going to benefit from that."

Lynne Anderson, PA chief executive added: "The work performed by Ross and his team has established Paralympics Australia as a global pacesetter in Para-sport innovation and, considering the outstanding related research being undertaken at UQ, USC and QUT, it’s clearly a natural fit for us to unite and make even better use of our resources.

"Innovation is a fiercely contested and crucial aspect of Para-sport and I share Ross’s excitement at the possibilities this collaboration provides in taking Australian Para-athletes to new levels of performance.

"I’m also eager to see how research conducted by the network will be applied more widely, providing better everyday outcomes for the 20 per cent of Australians who live with a disability."

Chelsea Warr, Queensland Academy of Sport chief executive said: "Olympic and Paralympic parity is one of our guiding principles at the QAS and the network will be a real game-changer in helping us work towards this."

Amanda Mather, chief executive at the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association said: "As the state’s peak Para-sports organisation we see this is an opportunity to work with the country’s leading research institutes to the benefit of not just our current aspiring Paralympians, but all people with a disability to get fit, active and achieve their goals."