Strength Sports Australia

Strength Sports Australia, previously known as the Australian Powerlifting Union or APU, is the Australian national World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation affiliate. The APU was the Australian national International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) affiliate for the sport of Powerlifting between the years of 2018 and 2023. Formed in 2018 after Powerlifting Australia was removed from the IPF after Robert Wilks (president of Powerlifting Australia) was not re-elected to the IPF Executive Committee, the APU hosted local-, state-, national- and international-level competitions under the IPF ruleset and banner.

In November 2023 the APU announced that it was no longer maintaining IPF affiliation but would still run local competitions. In December 2023 the APU announced that in 2024 it would affiliate with the World Drug-Free Powerlifting Federation.

History
The APU was established on 8 January 2018 by Sean Muir, David Cheung, Cameron Whittington and Scott Peisley.

The APU was granted provisional status by the IPF in January 2018, before being accepted as a full member at the 2019 IPF General Assembly.

In April 2024 Strength Sports Australia announced that they would be rebranding from Australian Powerlifting Union to SSA

First Competition
The first competition hosted by the APU was the 2018 Bristow Open, named after Maxwell Bristow, a multiple World Record holder.

First National Competition
The first national championship hosted by the APU was the inaugural National Equipped Powerlifting and Bench Press championship, held on 15 July 2018 in Penrith, NSW. Thirty lifters from across Australia participated.

International Competition
The Australian Powerlifting Union hosted two international competitions, the first being the 2018 Oceania Regional Powerlifting Federation (ORPF) championships, held in Queensland from 24 to 25 November 2018, with 83 entries from Oceania countries including Australia, New Zealand, Nauru and Papua New Guinea (and others).

Committees
The SSA is headed up by a board of directors. Due to the transition from APU to SSA and the change of affiliation to WDFPF the composition of board and committees has not been publicised.

Legal Status
Strength Sports Australia Ltd. is Limited by guarantee and registered with ASIC.

Recognition
International. The APU was recognised as a full member by the IPF in 2019.

The APU announced their affiliation and recognition by the WDFPF on 27 December 2023 however this has not been publicly confirmed by the WDFPF.

Anti-Doping
The Australian Powerlifting Union was a drug-tested federation and did not condone or allow the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The APU adopted Sport Integrity Australia's national anti-doping policy,.

The World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation is not a signatory to the WADA code.

Competition Rules and Qualifying
SSA follows the powerlifting rules of competition as prescribed by the WDFPF.

Qualifying
Qualifying for SSA competitions under WDFPF rules is unclear.

International Competition
As a former member of the IPF, the APU sent teams to IPF regional and world championship events.

Notable Lifters
Under their IPF affiliation the Australian Powerlifting Union had multiple world record holders, including:
 * Max Bristow - Men's Masters 3 (60-69) -66 kg Equipped Deadlift (235.5 kg)
 * Max Bristow - Men's Masters 4 (70+) -66 kg Equipped Deadlift (210.0 kg)
 * Helen Allen - Women's Masters 2 (50-59) -57 kg Deadlift record (183 kg)
 * Bethany Parker - Sub-Junior (14-18) Women -84 kg Classic Total (481.5 kg)
 * Ewan Belgrove - Sub-Junior (14-18) Men -83 kg Classic Squat (290.0 kg)
 * Peta Day - Masters 3 (60-69) Women -84 kg Classic Deadlift (160 kg)
 * Natalie Laalaai - Open Women 84+kg Classic Deadlift (268 kg)