By Tom Degun

apc 06-12-11December 6 - The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) have stepped up their preparations for London 2012 as Australia's top coaches, high performance managers and sports administrators gathered at the Sydney Olympic Park for a two-day congress on the Games.


The event saw Australia's staff updated on a range of issues that will affect the team in the lead up to and during London 2012 including the pre-Games staging camp in Cardiff, team security, the team selection process, classification, ticketing and media operations.

The congress also included the first of three section manager workshops where 12 of the 13 team appointed section managers were updated on team planning in greater detail.

"Putting everyone together from the 13 sports into one room is not only crucial before a Games for disseminating information but just as importantly it helps build a whole Team atmosphere," said APC chief executive and Australia's Paralympic Chef de Mission Jason Hellwig.

"The coaches and high performance managers are all leaders in their respective sports and for three out of four years, they lead their teams and athletes to competitions at the highest levels.

"But every four years, they come together to compete as one whole Australian team at the pinnacle of Paralympic sport, the Paralympic Games.

"I'm delighted that we have a group of individuals who are the best at what they do, helping our athletes perform to their best and the APC wants to provide the best opportunities for all to excel in their fields."

London 2012 will also be the first Paralympic Games for swimming section manager Karyn Burgess, who said that the biannual high performance congresses are invaluable to the team.

"It's great to hear stories from other people and learn that others are often dealing with the same issues as me and getting their knowledge and experience," Burgess said.

"The congresses are great for building relationships, answering lots of my questions leading up to the Games and opening the lines of communication up between sports and the APC."

The APC is preparing to send the largest ever Australian Paralympic team to an overseas Paralympic Games, with an expected 170 athletes and 140 staff.

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