The Paralympics Ireland Aspire Programme, proudly supported by Deloitte, officially entered its second year this weekend, as athletes gathered at the Sport Ireland Campus and Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown for the first development camp of the 2026 cohort. Designed to support emerging athletes with Paralympic potential, the Aspire Programme continues to play a vital role in strengthening Ireland’s Para sport performance pathway.
Building on the foundations established during its inaugural year, the Aspire Programme brings together athletes from across multiple Para sports, creating a high-performance learning environment focused on long-term development. The programme supports athletes not only in refining their physical preparation, but also in building the personal, psychological and professional skills required to succeed on the international stage.
The opening camp provided athletes with an immersive and holistic experience, combining sport specific training with workshops focused on personal growth and performance readiness. The weekend began with an introduction to year two of the programme, setting the tone for the months ahead and reinforcing the importance of ownership, accountability and continuous development within the high performance environment.
A key focus of the weekend was storytelling and public speaking, with workshops delivered by Laurie Mabelis helping athletes develop the confidence and skills to communicate their experiences effectively. These sessions recognised the importance of athlete voice, empowering participants to represent themselves, their sport and the Paralympic movement with authenticity and confidence.
Athletes also took part in group connection sessions facilitated by the True Athlete Project, which focused on fostering trust, openness, and a sense of community among the cohort. These sessions provided an opportunity for athletes to reflect on their experiences and strengthen connections with others within the Paralympics Ireland athlete community.
Sport specific training sessions, led by sport coaches and leads, provided athletes with the opportunity to apply their learning within their own performance environments, reinforcing the connection between physical preparation and the wider high-performance mindset.
One of the highlights of the camp was a fireside chat with Paralympians Richael Timothy and Jordan Lee, who shared personal experiences of their sporting careers. Their insights offered valuable perspective on the challenges and opportunities athletes may encounter, reinforcing the importance of resilience, self belief and commitment in pursuing Paralympic ambitions.
The second day of the camp continued with further storytelling workshops, alongside sessions focused on reflection, vulnerability and mindfulness. These elements are central to the Aspire Programme’s holistic philosophy, recognising that athlete development extends beyond physical performance to include emotional awareness, mental resilience and personal growth.
The camp concluded with a group recap session, where athletes reflected on their learning and set intentions for the year ahead, before departing to continue their training within their respective sports programmes.
The Aspire Programme represents a key investment in the future of Irish Para sport. By providing structured development opportunities, access to expert practitioners, and a supportive peer network, the programme equips athletes with the tools required to progress confidently along the Paralympic pathway.
The Aspire Athletes
The 2026 Aspire cohort represents a diverse and exciting mix of Para sports from across Ireland:
- Para Athletics: Lana Sutton, Cathal Ryan, Brandon Ballard, Fionan Ruane*, Charlie Byrne*
- Para Cycling: Alister MacSorley, Cormac O’Callaghan, Ciaran O’Toole, Heather Jameson*, Jessica Kennedy*
- Para Equestrian: Katie Reilly, Clodagh Walsh*
- Para Triathlon: Elsie Friel
- Para Rowing: Sadhbh Ní Laoighaire
- Para Powerlifting: Niamh Buckley, Sean Hughes, Casey Fitzgerald
- Para Swimming: Luke O’Donoghue, Luke Brennan, Ellie Lynch
- Para Table Tennis: Patrick Vaughan, Kevin O’ Callaghan*
*denotes new to the programme in 2026
