New Sports Talent App is a Game Changer
QAS Launches World First All-inclusive Talent ID App for Brisbane 2032
This morning on the Gold Coast, the Queensland Academy of Sport and Crisafulli Government unveiled the next stage of its YouFor2032 initiative, launching an innovative app aimed at uncovering the next generation of sporting talent leading into Brisbane 2032.
HER WAY Sports Media was invited to the official launch, which was attended by Queensland Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander, as were several ambassadors for the program, including Paris Paralympic medallist Ella Sabljak and Taekwondo athlete-turned coach Jessica Borg, Representatives from RACQ, who have partnered in delivering the app, were also on hand.
The app is the first known talent search technology in the world to include Para sports, ensuring athletes of all abilities will have the chance to be tested. Incorporating AI technology, the app can assess the abilities of aspiring athletes from their own homes, opening up opportunities to identify talent in regional and remote areas which traditional testing may miss.
The Minister said,
“This world-leading app removes geographical barriers, giving every young Queenslander, no matter where they live, the chance to be discovered.”
QAS will use the almost immediate findings from the app about an athlete’s abilities in areas such as speed, strength, endurance and agility, to match them with sports that in some cases they may not have considered or had the opportunity to try out depending on their location.
Retired champion swimmer Giaan Rooney, who MC’ed the launch today, told HER WAY this method of identifying talent is a game changer:
“I think about the fact that I live rurally now, and in terms of the opportunities available to young athletes now in Queensland, to say, ‘I’ve always wanted to see what I was good at, I’ve always wanted to see what my strengths are aligned to, I literally just want to be an athlete - I don’t care what sport it is.’ This will help them identify where their pathway can go and help them focus on that right journey.”
Two time Paralympian Ella Sabljak represented Australia in two different sports, and believes if the app existed when she was starting out, she may have been identified for a completely different sport altogether. She says the barriers people with a disability have traditionally encountered will make the app invaluable:
“I think what’s really exciting about the app, especially for Para athletes, you have to travel so far to be able to participate in any kind of Para sport, so I think the app will break down those barriers.”
YouFor2032 Talent Lead Alex Roberts told HER WAY that making the app inclusive of all abilities was a non-negotiable:
“When we were building this, that Para aspect was so important, and we said all along we wouldn’t do it if it couldn’t incorporate Para athletes.”
Reaction from athletes who took part in Beta testing for the YouFor2032 app, which went live today, has overwhelmingly positive.
Stay tuned to HER WAY Sports Media over coming days for a full video from the launch including more interviews.
