GAPS Program (Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain)

The GAPS Program (Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain) is designed to inspire and enable athletes from less developed nations to reach their sporting potential through international pathways and competitions.

It was initially developed by Griffith University partnering with the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) in the lead up to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games as a legacy engagement to promote and assist sports development in the Oceania region.

GAPS aims to provide a platform to amplify, accelerate and to transform the future of athletes from developing nations on a global stage.

During an 18-month period starting in 2016, Griffith University researchers saw an incredible opportunity to work towards improving peoples’ lives from emergent nations, bringing together 25 coaches, team managers and administrators with 70 elite athletes, including para-athletes, from 12 Oceania Commonwealth Games Associations.

The primary focus was on high-performance training and development. The program incorporated three intensive five-day training camps, offering access to facilities and expertise not readily available to the participants in their home countries.

Building on its Australian success, the program was expanded with an additional GAPS collaboration with PacificAus Sports and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Travel leading into the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games: the GAPS Global initiative. With the goal of increasing athlete participation and medal success, many developing nations within the Commonwealth countries including Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and Caribbean Islands were invited into the program.

Heading into the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Griffith University’s GAPS ran camps in host city Birmingham and on Queensland’s Gold Coast for more than 70 invited athletes with a disability and their coaches.

Individual athletes had the opportunity for self-improvement under the guidance of leading Griffith researchers in disciplines such as exercise science, sport technology, nutrition, sport psychology, and sport management and development.

While these high-level training camps supported athletes to not only train and prepare, they were also a unique opportunity for participants and officials to understand the international classification system used for athletes with a disability.

Griffith University’s GAPS Global program is currently recognized for taking a crucial leadership role in sports diplomacy throughout Commonwealth countries.

The GAPS inclusion of sportswomen and athletes with a disability highlights the complex responsibilities and principles of improving social justice in the sporting context. The partnership with the Commonwealth Games Federation promotes inclusivity through elite athletes with a disability competing side-by-side with able-bodied elite athletes.

The extended and integrated GAPS program is an obvious success story with GAPS Global athletes competing in 58 events and winning five medals, including inaugural 2018 Oceania Commonwealth Games medals for the Cook Islands and Vanuatu.

GAPS Global para-athletes achieved more success in Birmingham, winning nine medals including one gold in world-record time, four silver, four bronze and 15 personal best times for their nations. Additionally, six countries nominated GAPS athletes to proudly carry their national flags in the Opening Ceremony.

The future focus of the GAPS Global program—with its strong emphasis on the principles of social justice—remains on the importance of advancing education and supporting the development of inclusive sport pathways to international competition. Expansion into the Asia region has been planned, moving into the next Commonwealth Games cycle.

The vision of sports diplomacy and the sharing of cultural Commonwealth family bonds is of prime importance. The GAPS program will enhance the sporting excellence and capacities of athletes, and the talent pool of ancillary staff, coaches and administrators in developing nations.