Hellwig moves into role having served as General Manager of the APC’s Sport Operations and Development division since 2003, and the Director of Operations for the 2004 and 2008 Australian Paralympic Games teams.

His appointment as Chief Executive was welcomed by APC President Greg Hartung, who said Hellwig was the person best suited to drive the APC’s business operations towards the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver, and the London Games in 2012.

“Since joining the APC, Jason has managed our sport operations to help ensure Australia has maintained a position within the world’s top five nations at Paralympic Summer Games and top 10 at Paralympic Winter Games,” Mr Hartung said.

“He has also played a key role in the growth of the APC’s business, particularly in the areas of talent identification and development, team planning and delivery, classification, sport science and sports medicine.

“Jason’s experience and knowledge of International Paralympic sport is vast, and the APC Board is confident he will lead the organisation forward and ensure Australia’s Paralympic Teams continue to succeed against the best in the world.”

A former Director of the APC Board (2002-2003), Hellwig is also the current Chairman of the International Paralympic Committee’s Athletics Technical Committee and has almost two decades of sports administrative experience at a national and international level.

Hellwig will relocate from Melbourne to Sydney with his family to assume the role, and said he was excited, but equally determined, to meet the challenges ahead of the APC.

“While there are certainly many challenges ahead of us, there is a great deal of opportunity,” Hellwig said.

“The Australian Paralympic Committee is seen as a world leader in a number of facets of Paralympic Sport, both on and off the sporting arena, and I believe we are in a strong position to enhance our global standing even further.

“We know that it has never been harder to win a Paralympic medal as a growing number of countries recognise the increasing value of Paralympic sport, and the need to invest in more resources. So that sends a very clear message to us that we must continually work hard to develop  and improve the way we conduct our business.”

“The APC is very fortunate to have a talented and dedicated staff, and I’m certain of our joint capability to meet all challenges that lie in front of us.”

Hellwig’s immediate focus will be the Vancouver Paralympic Games from March 12-21. 

Australia will send its largest ever Winter team to the Games aiming to improve on the two medals – one silver and one bronze – won at the previous Paralympic Games in Torino in 2006.

Hellwig accepted the position as CEO after acting in the role following the departure of former chief Miles Murphy earlier this month. Murphy made the decision to develop his business interests outside the APC.