Multiclass Sport at QGSSSA

At QGSSSA, we are committed to providing inclusive sporting opportunities that celebrate and support all athletes.

Multiclass events offer students with a disability the opportunity to participate, compete and represent their school with pride at the highest levels of QGSSSA competition.

Open multiclass events are offered at three major championships and during their pre-season competitions:

  • QGSSSA Swimming Championships
  • QGSSSA Cross Country Championships
  • QGSSSA Track & Field Championships

These events provide a participation and representative pathway, allowing students to progress from school competition into the broader Para-sport pathway.

What is a Multiclass Event?

Multiclass events are competitions designed specifically for athletes with disabilities, ensuring a safe, inclusive and fair environment.

Students with a range of disabilities and classification groups compete together in the same race or event. To ensure fair results, performances are compared against benchmarks for each classification, set by Athletics Australia and Swimming Australia.

In multiclass competition, the winner is determined not solely by who finishes first, but by who posts the best performance relative to the world record for their classification group. Some minor rule modifications may apply to ensure safe and successful participation for all students.

multiclass-01

Classification

Classification is critical to the fairness and integrity of multiclass and Para-sport competition.

  • It determines who is eligible to participate.
    It groups athletes with similar impairments to compete against each other, much like how athletes are grouped by age, gender or weight in other sports.

To compete in multiclass events at QGSSSA championships and be eligible for competition points/placings, students must:

  • Undergo a classification assessment.
  • Hold a recognised national or provisional sport class in their chosen sport (Swimming or Athletics).
  • Be listed on the National Classification Masterlist for that sport.
multiclass-02

Upon successful classification, students receive a classification card or letter from the national sporting body (Swimming Australia, Athletics Australia, or Sport Integrity Australia).

If an athlete is not yet on a National Masterlist, they must provide evidence of their classification to their School Director of Sport and the QGSSSA Executive Officer prior to competition entry.

Please note:
Should a student with a disability not hold a classification, they are still welcome to participate. However, in the absence of a classification, competition places and points cannot be awarded.

multiclass-03
Important Notes on Eligibility
  • Not all disabilities are recognised under the Para-sport classification system.
  • Students must have a sport classifiable disability that meets the minimum eligibility criteria for their sport to be awarded competition places and points.
How to Get Classified

If you require classification:

  • Contact the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) for your sport (Swimming Australia or Athletics Australia) at least two months before you intend to compete.
  • Early preparation ensures students meet eligibility requirements for QGSSSA and beyond.
  • For information please contact QGSSSA who can connect you with the relevant classification staff.
Celebrating Inclusivity and Excellence

The introduction of multiclass events is part of QGSSSA’s commitment to providing meaningful sporting opportunities for all students. These events not only create a pathway for Para-athletes but also strengthen the spirit of sportswomanship, resilience and achievement that lies at the heart of QGSSSA sport.

multiclass-cta

Historical Results & Programs

Explore the QGSSSA archives and relive the history of Multiclass Sport.
Historical Records & Results