British Disabled Lifters Association

World Class Performance Programme

British Weightlifter’s Association is the national governing body for elite level disabled Powerlifter's in Great Britain. Thus it has the responsibility of co-ordinating the lottery funded World Class Performance Programme (WCPP).

BWLA’s Disability Powerlifting WCPP is designed to develop world class lifters, providing the necessary elements to perform and win at the highest level. The programme provides the best lifters with Lottery funding in the form of a package of support administered through BWLA. BWLA produced a 4-year World Class Performance Plan for the Athens Paralympiad that set out what was needed if lifters were to achieve European, World and Paralympic medals. The current plan expires in March 2005 with a new 4-year plan being drafted for the Beijing Paralympiad.

Disability Powerlifting uses Lottery funding to invest in:
World Class Coaches
Sports science and medicine back-up
Warm weather training and acclimatisation opportunities
Competing at International competitions (including travel and accommodation) Development of Lifters
Appropriate training facilities
The post of a Performance Director to bring all these elements together

There is a close working relationship with UKsport that monitor BWLA and it’s WCPP on an annual basis to ensure that targets are obtained and value for money achieved.

Eligibility
 There are currently 3 women and 4 male lifters on the WCPP until March 2005. The standard for entry onto  the WCPP is very high and there is a comprehensive selection criteria that must be followed for anyone wishing to be considered for the WCPP.
 
 Qualification Standards are updated yearly.

Here is the WCPP up to March 2005:

WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCE PLAN.pdf.

Athlete Personal Awards

Elite athletes make many sacrifices in their quest to represent their country at the highest levels. In recognition of this fact, Athlete Personal Awards are paid to lifters on Powerlifting’s World Class Performance Programme.

These awards are a contribution towards the training costs incurred by lifters to ensure they perform to the highest levels and, if they wish, work more flexibly, or indeed train full-time to ensure that as much time as necessary is dedicated towards training and competing. The awards are a contribution towards basic living costs, personal training and sports equipment costs. Lifters may also apply for a contribution towards education costs. Awards are calculated on the basis of personal circumstances and according to world ranking.

BWLA monitor the Athlete Personal Awards and the continuation of the award is based on lifters achieving their performance targets and established performance standards. The awards can be suspended or removed if misused.

Disability Powerlifter’s Responsibility

Lifters that become members of the World Class Performance Programme must sign a Lifter’s Agreement that identifies the responsibilities and expectations of both the lifter and BWLA.