The Pearls are Australia’ s national representative team for female athletes with an intellectual impairment. The Pearls represent Australia on the international stage in such events as the Virtus (formally INAS) World Championships and Global Games.
The Virtus Global Games are held once every four years and sees competitors from up to 80 nations participating in multiple sports.
In 2015, the 3×3 format was introduced for Women. The Pearls last competed at the 6th Global Games which was in France.
The Pearls entered two teams who both performed admirably with Pearls Gold taking home the silver medal and Pearls Green taking home the bronze.
Virtus is the recognised International Organisation of Sport for People with a Disability (IOSD) and is a full member of the International Paralympic Committee representing intellectual disability.
Athletes must meet stringent Virtus criteria to be classified as eligible to compete in their events.
Past Achievements
|
Year |
Competition |
Location |
Result |
|
1992 |
Paralympics |
Spain, Madrid |
GOLD |
|
1994 |
1st INAS-FID World Championships |
Greece, Athens |
SILVER |
|
1995 |
2nd INAS-FID World Championships |
Portugal, Maderia |
SILVER |
|
1997 |
Japan Tour |
Japan, Yokohama City |
|
|
1998 |
3rd INAS-FID World Championships |
Brazil, San Paulo |
BRONZE |
|
1999 |
Asia/South Pacific Championships |
Japan, Yokohama City |
GOLD |
|
2002 |
4th INAS-FID World Championships |
Portugal, Island of Maderia |
BRONZE |
|
2003 |
European Championships |
Poland, Warsaw |
Third |
|
2004 |
1st INAS-FID Global Games |
Sweden, Bollnas |
BRONZE |
|
2006 |
5th INAS-FID World Championships |
Japan, Yokohama City |
SILVER |
|
2008 |
World Cup |
Italy, Rome |
SILVER |
|
2009 |
2nd INAS-FID Global Games |
Czech Republic, Liberec |
SILVER |
|
2010 |
6th INAS-FID World Championships |
Portugal, Tondela |
GOLD |
|
2011 |
3rd INAS-FID Global Games |
Italy, Loano |
GOLD |
|
2015 |
4th INAS-FID Global Games (3x3) |
South America, Guayaquil |
GOLD / BRONZE |
|
2016 |
Japan Tour 5x5 |
Japan, Matsumoto |
GOLD |
|
2017 |
8th INAS-FID World Championships (3x3) |
Italy, Loano |
GOLD / SILVER |
|
2019 |
5th INAS Global Games (3x3) |
Australia, Brisbane |
SILVER / BRONZE |
|
2022 |
1st VIRTUS Oceania Asia Games (3x3) |
Australia, Brisbane |
GOLD / SILVER / BRONZE |
|
2023 |
6th VIRTUS Global Games (3x3) |
France, Vichy |
SILVER / BRONZE |
|
2024 |
NZ Training Camp |
Porirua (North Island) |
n/a |
