52 Athletes Selected for the Australian Team for the 2027 Virtus Asia Oceania Games in Bangkok 

Australia will send a 52-strong team to Bangkok for the 2027 Virtus Asia Oceania Games, bringing together first-time Australian representatives and some of the nation’s most experienced Virtus athletes. 

Sport Inclusion Australia has today announced 33 Athletics and 19 Swimming representatives for the Games, to be held in Bangkok, Thailand from 24 February to 3 March 2027. 

Athletes from every Australian state and territory are represented in the team with 19 from New South Wales, 10 from Queensland, nine from Victoria, five from South Australia, three from the Australian Capital Territory, two each from Tasmania, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. 

The team includes 2016 Rio Paralympian and Commonwealth Games representative Joshua Alford, Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games representative Lindsey Hendy, in addition to Virtus world record holders Hugo Taheny, Liam Griffett, Emma Papantoniou, Kobi-Lee Dyer, Indyana Wedderburn, Iesha Apthorpe and Siarne Davis. 

The Virtus Asia Oceania Games are a major international multi-sport competition for athletes with an intellectual impairment, bringing together leading athletes from across the region. 

Sport Inclusion Australia CEO Chantel Lewis said representing Australia internationally was an important milestone in an athlete’s sporting journey. 

“Representing Australia is a significant achievement, and every athlete selected for Bangkok has earned the opportunity to compete on an international stage. We’re proud to see such a strong Australian team heading to the Games,” Lewis said. 

“The Virtus Asia Oceania Games provide an important opportunity for Australian athletes to compete against leading athletes from across the region, build on their international experience and continue progressing through international sporting pathways.” 

The Athletics team brings considerable international experience, including Kyle McIntosh and Commonwealth Games representative Lindsey Hendy. 

McIntosh has earned selection for his eighth Virtus event representing Australia, while Hendy will make his seventh appearance. Both made their Australian debuts at the 2015 Virtus Global Games in Ecuador. 

Joshua Alford PLY brings strong international experience to the Swimming team, earning selection for his seventh Virtus event since making his Australian debut at the 2013 Virtus Swimming World Championships in New Caledonia. 

His international career has also included representing Australia at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. For Lleyton Lloyd, selection for Bangkok marks a return to where his international career began — but in a different sport. 

Lloyd made his Australian debut in athletics at the 2017 Virtus World Athletics Championships in Bangkok. A decade later, he will return to the city to make his debut for Australia in swimming. 

A swimmer from an early age, Lloyd turned his focus to athletics before a back injury brought him back to the pool as part of his recovery and ultimately opened a new international sporting chapter. 

For 15 athletes, Bangkok will mark their first opportunity to represent Australia, with eight debutants selected in Athletics and seven in Swimming. 

Among the new generation earning their first Australian selection are Indyana Wedderburn and Iesha Apthorpe, who will arrive in Bangkok as current world record holders in their respective events. 

Athletics and Swimming are the first Australian teams announced for Bangkok, with further selections expected in Badminton, Taekwondo and Table Tennis. 

The 2027 Virtus Asia Oceania Games will feature Athletics, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, and Badminton as a demonstration sport. 

Sport Inclusion Australia is the Australian member organisation of Virtus, the international federation for athletes with an intellectual impairment, and manages Australian teams competing at Virtus international events. 

Athletics

Head Coach: Matt Rawlings
Manager: Rowan Barrow

*Debutant

Swimming

Head Coach: Matt McSorley 
Manager: Tracy Lawrence 

*Debutant