Athlete Commission

Vice Chair
Ella Sabljak

Ella has proudly represented Australia as a dual-sport Paralympian. She competed with the Australian Gliders wheelchair basketball team at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and with the Australian Steelers wheelchair rugby team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, winning a bronze medal. Ella has more than 15 years’ experience in wheelchair sports.

Ella’s passion for athlete advocacy has played out in major leadership roles. She was one of four athletes chosen for the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Athlete Steering Committee, helping to establish an international athlete representative body. Drawing from her work with Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission, she’s been able to build stronger connections between wheelchair basketball globally and at home.

On top of that, Ella is a member of the WADA Athlete Council, where she advocates for clean sport and athlete welfare on a global scale. With her background as a school teacher, Ella brings a unique perspective, using her skills to support her fellow elite athletes. She was appointed to Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission in 2021, and elected as Vice-Chair at the end of 2024, continuing her commitment to shaping the future of Para-sports.

Secretary
Angie Ballard

As a proud and long-time member of the Australian Paralympic family, Angie Ballard is a six-time Paralympian, multiple Paralympic medallist, and previous world title holder on the track.

Angie holds a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) with Honours. She was a board member on the Wheelchair Sports NSW Board from 2004 to 2017 and appointed as an ambassador or advocate for organisations including for Technical Aid for the Disabled, Motor Accidents Authority and Lifeline Australia.

Angie has served on Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission since its inception in May 2017, and was elected as the Secretary at the end of 2024. She is an active member of its Athlete Welfare subcommittee and also sits on the advisory panel for Paralympics Australia’s Para-sport Equipment Fund.

“I am interested in the athletes as a group having a larger voice, but also being able to take responsibility for the direction of our sport into the future. I want our perspective and insights to be heard in the decision-making centres of our sports and in the larger community.”

Communications
Al Viney

Alexandra is a two-time Paralympian, world championship silver medallist, and an Australian record holder in rowing.

Passionate about culture, inclusion, integrity, and wellbeing, Al was elected to the Athlete Commission at the end of 2024 and is eager to deepen her knowledge and contribute to positive outcomes for the Paralympic Movement.

Alongside her work as a strength and conditioning coach and exercise scientist, Al is pursuing a Master of Business in Sports Management at Deakin University to broaden her understanding of sports.

Al serves on Rowing Australia’s Athlete Commission and has previously held roles on various committees, in addition to her ongoing role as an ambassador for Proud2Play, an Australian LGBTQIA+ sports organisation. Al was elected to Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission in 2024, and elected in the Communications role at the end of 2024.

“My curiosity for creating sustainable change and supporting the holistic athlete drives me to contribute to Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission,” Al says. “I’m committed to empowering the athlete voice centred around the perspective of ‘The standard you walk past is the standard you’re willing to accept,’ and ‘Not for us without us.’”

Ben Austin OAM

Ben burst onto the swimming scene at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics claiming two silver and two bronze medals. At the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 – the first time elite athletes with a disability were integrated as equal competitors with medals towards the official medal tally – Ben won gold in the 100 metres freestyle and 50 metres freestyle and broke the most world records of any athlete on the Australian team.

Athens 2004 proved to be Ben’s most successful Games, with two gold medals, three silver and a bronze, including two world records.

A Young Australian of the Year finalist, Ben went on to compete at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics bringing home a gold medal and silver and the Delhi Commonwealth Games, where he won the 100 metres freestyle.

Ben has served on the advisory panel of Our Connection to Country, AIS Australian Sports Commission, as an Austswim Ambassador, as a Westpac Ambassador, and on Paralympics Australia’s First Nations Advisory Group.

Ben was elected to Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission in 2024.

Tracy Barrell OAM

Tracy competed in swimming at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics and won gold in the 4×50 metres freestyle women’s relay and the 50 metres butterfly S4. Tracy went on to compete at the 1994 World Championships, winning bronze in the 50 metres butterfly S5. Afterwards, Tracy needed a full shoulder reconstruction which ended her swimming career. However, in 2008 she made the national sitting volleyball team that narrowly missed a place at the Beijing Summer Paralympics.

Tracy is now a mother of two boys aged in their 20s, she is on the board of the National Indigenous Sports Foundation and she is a sought after public speaker on many topics. Tracey also does DDA Compliance as a consultant for developers and councils. Tracy’s everyday focus is on the Aboriginal communities she has the pleasure of being part of around Australia.

Tracy was elected to Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission in 2024.

Danni Di Toro

As a long-standing member of the Australian Paralympic community, Danni Di Toro is a seven-time Paralympian, multiple Paralympic medallist, and previous two-time world champion in wheelchair tennis before switching to Para-table tennis in 2014. She co-captained the Australian Paralympic Team in 2016 and 2020.

Danni has been working in the complementary medicine and mental health sector for 25 years and was Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Welfare and Engagement Officer.

Danni was elected Vice Chairperson of Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission at its inaugural meeting in May 2017, and served as Vice Chair and Secretary until the end of 2024.

“I am passionate about doing my bit to continue to provide a platform that recognises the rich legacy and wealth of experience within our community, and the framework to ensure our Mob have a voice across all aspects of our lives.”

Dylan Littlehales

Dylan Littlehales is a World Champion and Paralympic medallist who has represented Australia at three Paralympic Games in the sport of Para canoe. Beginning his career as the youngest athlete ever selected, he is now the most capped member of the Australian Paracanoe Team.Off the water, Dylan is completing a Master’s in Organisational Psychology at the University of Queensland. He aims to combine his lived experience as an athlete with his academic training to drive positive, system‑level change across Australian sporting organisations.

Dylan joined Paralympics Australia’s Athletes’ Commission in May 2026 and has served as Vice Chair of the Paddle Australia Athletes’ Commission since 2025.

“I’m truly passionate about sport and doing what I can to help others chase the dreams I’ve been lucky enough to catch.”

Dave Miln

Dave Miln is a Paralympian in Para Nordic skiing and biathlon, representing Australia in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games. A serving Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Officer, Dave brings over two decades of military experience across the UK and Australia into his high-performance sporting career. Following a life-changing accident in 2022, he transitioned into sit-skiing and quickly established himself on the international stage, earning selection to represent Australia at the highest level.

Dave is passionate about improving pathways, support structures and representation for Para athletes, particularly those balancing service, family and elite sport. His experiences navigating funding challenges, equipment access and international competition logistics have shaped his commitment to advocating for meaningful change within the Paralympic system.

Dave was elected to Paralympics Australia’s Athletes’ Commission in 2026. Through his role on the Athlete Commission, Dave aims to ensure athlete voices are heard and that future generations are better supported to pursue excellence.

“I want to help build a system where athletes can focus on performance, not just survival — where the barriers I’ve faced become the opportunities for those who follow.”

Tori Pendergast

Tori Pendergast is a Paralympian and former Para-alpine skier who represented Australia at the Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. She made history at Sochi as Australia’s first female sit skier and is a World Cup medallist, competing at the highest level of international winter sport.

Tori was elected to Paralympics Australia’s Athletes’ Commission in 2026.

Through her experience in high-performance environments, Tori has developed a strong understanding of the athlete pathway and the importance of sustainable support systems in Para sport. She has also been involved in the Australian Institute of Sport’s Elevate (formerly Gold Medal Ready/Good Village) Program and Accelerate Program, further developing her leadership and professional skills beyond sport. Tori holds a Bachelor of Business and currently works within the elite sporting sector.

“I am passionate about growing Para sport and increasing participation across Australia. Through stronger collaboration across the sporting sector, I hope to help create more inclusive pathways, increase awareness and opportunities for current and future athletes across all sports.”

Chad Perris

Chad is a visually impaired sprinter competing in the T13 classification. He began his athletics career in 2012 and quickly rose to international prominence, making his debut at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships. Chad has earned multiple medals throughout his career, including a bronze at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and several silver and bronze medals at World Para Athletics Championships.

At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Chad delivered a strong performance, finishing just shy of the podium with a fourth-place result in the 100 metres T13 final. He is currently coached by Matthew Beckenham and continues to be a leading figure in Australian Para-athletics.

Beyond the track, Chad is a dedicated advocate for athletes and is actively involved in leadership roles. He serves on various groups, including the 2032+ Sport Strategy Leadership Group, helping to shape the future of sport in Australia for the next generation.

Chad was elected to Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission in 2024.

Brad Scott

Brad Scott is a three-time Paralympian and Paralympic medallist in athletics, representing Australia at the Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Competing in the T37 class, Brad won silver in the 800 metres at Beijing 2008 before adding further Paralympic medals in London. He also represented Australia in football through the Pararoos program at the 2018 IFCPF Asian Cup and 2019 World Cup.

Born with cerebral palsy, Brad’s journey in sport has been shaped by lived experience, resilience and a commitment to creating opportunity for others. Following his athletic career, he has worked across disability employment, coaching and athlete development, and currently leads the WAIS Para Unit, focused on strengthening Para sport pathways and breaking down barriers for participation.

Brad is particularly passionate about creating awareness and opportunity for people with disability in regional and remote communities, ensuring geography is never a barrier to talent identification, participation or progression in sport and life. He believes strongly in building clearer pathways into Para sport while also supporting broader social and employment outcomes for people with disability.

Brad was elected to Paralympics Australia’s Athletes’ Commission in 2026.

“I’m passionate about ensuring people with disability, particularly in regional and remote communities, have clear access to opportunity, visibility, and pathways into sport and beyond. Where you live should never limit what you can achieve.”

Liam Twomey

Liam competed at his first Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024 in triathlon and has been a part of the Australian triathlon team since 2018. He has competed at four world championships and is a multiple World Cup medallist.

Liam is studying for a Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science, majoring in psychology at Deakin University. He is an ambassador for the Black Dog Institute and Dylan Alcott Foundation joining two of his main areas of interest in mental health and disability support. He currently works with the Australian and Victorian Institutes of Sport facilitating mental health programs to primary and high school students across Victoria and nationally.

Liam has been a member of the AusTriathlon Elite Athlete Committee since 2023 and has been its Chair since the beginning of 2024. Liam was voted onto Paralympics Australia’s Athlete Commission in 2024. He is passionate about athlete representation and support within his own sport and Paralympic sport as a whole.

“I’m extremely passionate and driven in trying to help create sporting environments that allow athletes to voice their opinions, concerns and be supported along the way. I enjoy and appreciate being voted my peers to help try and improve the sporting landscape to create more athlete focused, inclusive environments for current and future athletes.”