The Australian Paralympic Committee has launched a nationwide search for new sporting stars ©Getty Images

The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) has launched a nationwide search for new sporting stars with one eye on Tokyo 2020.

The initiative, known as Talent 4 Tokyo, has the aim of finding athletes who could potentially compete at the Paralympics in the Japanese capital in four years time. 

Sessions will be held all over the country with the scheme developed after the APC received funding from the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation.

All impairment types and all sports Australia participates in will be covered, including badminton and taekwondo which will make their Paralympic debut in Tokyo.

“Talent 4 Tokyo has two specific aims,” said APC talent identification manager Cathy Lambert.

“We want to identify potential Paralympic athletes and also connect people with a physical, visual or intellectual impairment to sporting options.

“The APC’s past Paralympic talent search initiatives have had enormous success.

The initiative is with the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in mind
The initiative is with the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in mind ©Getty Images

"Talent 4 Tokyo is a progression from the APC’s innovative and highly successful Paralympic Talent Search programme launched in 2005, which has since been replicated by rival nations around the world.

“More than a quarter of the London 2012 Paralympic Team was discovered through the APC’s work in talent identification, and we’re looking forward to seeing an increase in this figure for the Rio campaign.

“We might be around the corner from the Rio Games, but now is the time for people with a disability to come forward ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Games.

“We’ll be working directly with individuals identified with talent to ensure they are linked with the sport or sports of our recommendation and provide extra support to ensure we are able to give the individual a kick start on their Paralympic journey.”

Australia finished fifth on the medals table at the London 2012 Paralympics, winning 32 golds in their haul of 85.

“Giving young people with a disability access to moments of happiness and possibility that will enrich their lives is a role we are very proud to play," said  Coca-Cola Australia Foundation Chairman Malcolm Hudson.

Individuals from 10 years of age are welcome to register and must have a verifiable physical, vision or intellectual impairment eligible to compete in Paralympic sport.

More information can be found here.