40under40 Winner - Priya Cooper

Priya Cooper’s cerebral palsy as not held her back. She is one of Australia’s greatest Paralympians.

During her sporting career she won nine gold, three silver and four bronze medals swimming for Australia at the Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney Paralympic Games, and was also female captain of the 1996 and 2000 Australian Paralympic teams.

In her business career Ms Cooper established Network 21, a network marketing and professional development venture, in 2001.

Ms Cooper is also promotion and events officer for the Dennis Lillee Disabled Sports Foundation, where she works to raise money and awareness for people with disabilities to participate in sport and recreation.

She is also a motivational speaker, renowned for discussing her experiences with disability and competitive sport, and overcoming obstacles to achieve success.

Ms Cooper averages between 65 and 95 corporate, sporting and school speaking engagements a year, both nationally and internationally.

She is currently a member of the Edge Employment Solutions Board, Healthway Sports Advisory Committee, Eventscorp Events Committee, NRMA Foundation Board, and WA Disabled Sports Association Board. She commentated for SBS as part of the 2004 Paralympics Games coverage in Athens and for Channel 7 for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Ms Cooper won an Order of Australia Medal and has been named Young Australian of the Year for Sport.