Commonwealth Sport are proud to deliver this camp alongside our partners at Griffith University, with support from PacificAus Sports. Throughout the week, Athletes are learning the key elements of high performance, from personalised training sessions to nutrition, recovery and mental preparation.

The camp will conclude on Saturday 5 July with the 2025 Australian Para-Powerlifting Championships, held at Royal Pines. The event is delivered by Paralympics Australia and will give athletes the invaluable opportunity to test themselves in a live competition environment.

GAPS, short for Gather, Adjust, Prepare and Sustain, is our high-performance development programme designed to create inclusive sporting pathways across the Commonwealth. It’s not just about preparing Athletes competition, it’s about building sustainable systems that will see Athletes thrive on the international stage. 

The Gold Coast GAPS camp aims to not only achieve immediate goals around participation, qualification and classification for Glasgow 2026, but also is focusing on maximising the participation and success of Pacific Athletes at Brisbane 2032.  

 

In 2025, four of the six GAPS camps will be organised by Commonwealth Sport and Griffith University with the support of Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) and the backing of PacificAus Sports. Following the successful camp in Vanuatu and the camp no underway in Gold Coast, further experiences will be hosted in Samoa for Athletes and coaches competing in multiple sports including Athletics, Swimming, Bowls, Weightlifting and Para Powerlifting.

The Oceania GAPS camps are supported by PacificAus Sports, an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative that creates opportunities for Pacific teams, Athletes and officials to compete in elite competitions and access high performance training. Their support comes through the 2025 Pacific Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games Partnership, a collaboration between the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC), Paralympics Australia (PA) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA).

Commonwealth Sport CEO, Katie Sadleir CNZM noted the impact the GAPS programme has on the people of the Pacific region and the opportunities it can offer. "The GAPS programme holds a really special place within Commonwealth Sport,” Sadleir said.

“With a little over a year to go until Glasgow 2026, it’s incredible to see how these camps are helping our Athletes and Coaches from across the Commonwealth grow, not just in their sport, but as people.

“Over the next few months, we’ll see camps take place in Oceania, Jamaica and South Africa, and I can’t wait to see how these experiences shape their journeys to the Games. It’s such a privilege to support this kind of development, creating meaningful opportunities that can truly change lives.”

CGA CEO and Regional Vice President – Oceania of Commonwealth Sport, Craig Phillips AM, said:

“The Gold Coast high performance camp reflects the broader ambition of the GAPS initiative. GAPS was established by Commonwealth Sport and Griffith University in the lead-up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, and we’re proud to see the programme continuing to evolve and deliver impact, both across our region and around the globe."

“The GAPS programme is more than sport; it’s about creating sustainable pathways, empowering communities and ensuring the Pacific is strongly represented at the highest levels of international competition.

 “With more initiatives to come, we’re continuing to provide targeted opportunities for athletes to refine their performance, gain vital competition experience, and build their confidence ahead of major events like Glasgow 2026 and ultimately Brisbane 2032.” 

Phillips also acknowledged the valuable role of partner organisations in delivering the program. “Our thanks go to Griffith University and all our delivery partners, as well as PacificAus Sports, whose support ensures we can continue this important work throughout 2025 and beyond,”