Latest news with #Paralympic
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Big cheers for Aussie Steelers back on home soil
With fast and thunderous steel-on-steel collisions, first time spectators quickly learn why wheelchair rugby used to be called murderball. The sound of high-speed clashes rang out almost as loudly as cheers for the Australian Steelers this week as the side took on many of the strongest teams on earth at home for the first time since 2018. "They were all singing the national anthem at the top of their lungs and it just made me smile," Steelers star Shae Graham told AAP. "This is the first time I've had the opportunity to represent my country and play on home soil, so it means the world." The Aussies are looking towards the finals at the Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Adelaide, involving 158 players from nine nations. While the sport shares its name with rugby union, that's where the similarities end. It was specifically designed for athletes with limb impairments and is played indoors on wooden courts with mixed gender teams. "This is a ruthless, fast-paced, hard-hitting, full contact sport and no one cares whether you are male or female," Ms Graham, the first woman to represent Australia internationally, said. "It's win at all costs." Wheelchair Rugby Australia chief executive Chris Nay describes the sport as a mash-up of dodgem cars, gridiron and basketball. With a 2024 Paris Paralympic Games bronze medal and two Paralympic golds in the trophy cabinet, his aim is for the team to be as recognisable as other iconic Australian squads and hopes greater exposure could help with that. "Our north star as an organisation is Boomers, Matildas and Steelers," Mr Nay explained. "Our results stack up with any of our national teams, yet no one really knows that story. "So to change that we thought that hosting an event here every year at home is a great way to introduce the Steelers to the broader Australian public." It's proven difficult to secure a major sponsorship partner but there are hopes that could soon change with more exposure. "We're not just looking for a big sum of money to be jumped on the doorstep and nothing further to happen from there," Mr Nay said. "We really know our value as a brand and as a sport and what we could bring across athlete stories and success." The new tournament has arrived at a significant time for the Steelers, who are undergoing a period of renewal. Six of the 12 players made their debut this year, making wins over Germany, Canada and New Zealand so much sweeter. There's more than just bragging rights up for grabs in Adelaide, with the tournament offering ranking points ahead of the 2026 world championship in Sao Paolo which impact the draw for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games draw. Ms Graham suffered a spinal injury in a car crash when she was 18 and took up the sport nine years later, now training six days a week on top of her job as a librarian at the Melbourne Museum. "People don't really understand that we're actually high performance athletes, this is our job," she said. "Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced, full-contact, highly strategic game - it's super addictive to watch. "It's such a great community. No one will regret giving this sport a go." With fast and thunderous steel-on-steel collisions, first time spectators quickly learn why wheelchair rugby used to be called murderball. The sound of high-speed clashes rang out almost as loudly as cheers for the Australian Steelers this week as the side took on many of the strongest teams on earth at home for the first time since 2018. "They were all singing the national anthem at the top of their lungs and it just made me smile," Steelers star Shae Graham told AAP. "This is the first time I've had the opportunity to represent my country and play on home soil, so it means the world." The Aussies are looking towards the finals at the Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Adelaide, involving 158 players from nine nations. While the sport shares its name with rugby union, that's where the similarities end. It was specifically designed for athletes with limb impairments and is played indoors on wooden courts with mixed gender teams. "This is a ruthless, fast-paced, hard-hitting, full contact sport and no one cares whether you are male or female," Ms Graham, the first woman to represent Australia internationally, said. "It's win at all costs." Wheelchair Rugby Australia chief executive Chris Nay describes the sport as a mash-up of dodgem cars, gridiron and basketball. With a 2024 Paris Paralympic Games bronze medal and two Paralympic golds in the trophy cabinet, his aim is for the team to be as recognisable as other iconic Australian squads and hopes greater exposure could help with that. "Our north star as an organisation is Boomers, Matildas and Steelers," Mr Nay explained. "Our results stack up with any of our national teams, yet no one really knows that story. "So to change that we thought that hosting an event here every year at home is a great way to introduce the Steelers to the broader Australian public." It's proven difficult to secure a major sponsorship partner but there are hopes that could soon change with more exposure. "We're not just looking for a big sum of money to be jumped on the doorstep and nothing further to happen from there," Mr Nay said. "We really know our value as a brand and as a sport and what we could bring across athlete stories and success." The new tournament has arrived at a significant time for the Steelers, who are undergoing a period of renewal. Six of the 12 players made their debut this year, making wins over Germany, Canada and New Zealand so much sweeter. There's more than just bragging rights up for grabs in Adelaide, with the tournament offering ranking points ahead of the 2026 world championship in Sao Paolo which impact the draw for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games draw. Ms Graham suffered a spinal injury in a car crash when she was 18 and took up the sport nine years later, now training six days a week on top of her job as a librarian at the Melbourne Museum. "People don't really understand that we're actually high performance athletes, this is our job," she said. "Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced, full-contact, highly strategic game - it's super addictive to watch. "It's such a great community. No one will regret giving this sport a go." With fast and thunderous steel-on-steel collisions, first time spectators quickly learn why wheelchair rugby used to be called murderball. The sound of high-speed clashes rang out almost as loudly as cheers for the Australian Steelers this week as the side took on many of the strongest teams on earth at home for the first time since 2018. "They were all singing the national anthem at the top of their lungs and it just made me smile," Steelers star Shae Graham told AAP. "This is the first time I've had the opportunity to represent my country and play on home soil, so it means the world." The Aussies are looking towards the finals at the Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Adelaide, involving 158 players from nine nations. While the sport shares its name with rugby union, that's where the similarities end. It was specifically designed for athletes with limb impairments and is played indoors on wooden courts with mixed gender teams. "This is a ruthless, fast-paced, hard-hitting, full contact sport and no one cares whether you are male or female," Ms Graham, the first woman to represent Australia internationally, said. "It's win at all costs." Wheelchair Rugby Australia chief executive Chris Nay describes the sport as a mash-up of dodgem cars, gridiron and basketball. With a 2024 Paris Paralympic Games bronze medal and two Paralympic golds in the trophy cabinet, his aim is for the team to be as recognisable as other iconic Australian squads and hopes greater exposure could help with that. "Our north star as an organisation is Boomers, Matildas and Steelers," Mr Nay explained. "Our results stack up with any of our national teams, yet no one really knows that story. "So to change that we thought that hosting an event here every year at home is a great way to introduce the Steelers to the broader Australian public." It's proven difficult to secure a major sponsorship partner but there are hopes that could soon change with more exposure. "We're not just looking for a big sum of money to be jumped on the doorstep and nothing further to happen from there," Mr Nay said. "We really know our value as a brand and as a sport and what we could bring across athlete stories and success." The new tournament has arrived at a significant time for the Steelers, who are undergoing a period of renewal. Six of the 12 players made their debut this year, making wins over Germany, Canada and New Zealand so much sweeter. There's more than just bragging rights up for grabs in Adelaide, with the tournament offering ranking points ahead of the 2026 world championship in Sao Paolo which impact the draw for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games draw. Ms Graham suffered a spinal injury in a car crash when she was 18 and took up the sport nine years later, now training six days a week on top of her job as a librarian at the Melbourne Museum. "People don't really understand that we're actually high performance athletes, this is our job," she said. "Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced, full-contact, highly strategic game - it's super addictive to watch. "It's such a great community. No one will regret giving this sport a go." With fast and thunderous steel-on-steel collisions, first time spectators quickly learn why wheelchair rugby used to be called murderball. The sound of high-speed clashes rang out almost as loudly as cheers for the Australian Steelers this week as the side took on many of the strongest teams on earth at home for the first time since 2018. "They were all singing the national anthem at the top of their lungs and it just made me smile," Steelers star Shae Graham told AAP. "This is the first time I've had the opportunity to represent my country and play on home soil, so it means the world." The Aussies are looking towards the finals at the Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Adelaide, involving 158 players from nine nations. While the sport shares its name with rugby union, that's where the similarities end. It was specifically designed for athletes with limb impairments and is played indoors on wooden courts with mixed gender teams. "This is a ruthless, fast-paced, hard-hitting, full contact sport and no one cares whether you are male or female," Ms Graham, the first woman to represent Australia internationally, said. "It's win at all costs." Wheelchair Rugby Australia chief executive Chris Nay describes the sport as a mash-up of dodgem cars, gridiron and basketball. With a 2024 Paris Paralympic Games bronze medal and two Paralympic golds in the trophy cabinet, his aim is for the team to be as recognisable as other iconic Australian squads and hopes greater exposure could help with that. "Our north star as an organisation is Boomers, Matildas and Steelers," Mr Nay explained. "Our results stack up with any of our national teams, yet no one really knows that story. "So to change that we thought that hosting an event here every year at home is a great way to introduce the Steelers to the broader Australian public." It's proven difficult to secure a major sponsorship partner but there are hopes that could soon change with more exposure. "We're not just looking for a big sum of money to be jumped on the doorstep and nothing further to happen from there," Mr Nay said. "We really know our value as a brand and as a sport and what we could bring across athlete stories and success." The new tournament has arrived at a significant time for the Steelers, who are undergoing a period of renewal. Six of the 12 players made their debut this year, making wins over Germany, Canada and New Zealand so much sweeter. There's more than just bragging rights up for grabs in Adelaide, with the tournament offering ranking points ahead of the 2026 world championship in Sao Paolo which impact the draw for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games draw. Ms Graham suffered a spinal injury in a car crash when she was 18 and took up the sport nine years later, now training six days a week on top of her job as a librarian at the Melbourne Museum. "People don't really understand that we're actually high performance athletes, this is our job," she said. "Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced, full-contact, highly strategic game - it's super addictive to watch. "It's such a great community. No one will regret giving this sport a go."
Glasgow Times
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Local clubs need to adapt to encourage disability sports
Being a wheelchair user, I have often been told that there is no space for me in certain aspects of life. I grew up on the ice rink as an ice dancer, followed by a performer on the big stage, but when I swapped my legs for my wheels, my whole world changed, and I found myself having to leave that life behind. Trying to get involved in something where I felt I 'fitted' never worked, especially when I was in a powerchair. Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock plays football with people with disabilities taking part in the launch event of Every Body Moves campaign in March 2023. ( Sam Mellish) (Image: Sam Mellish) There are many disabilities out there that are catered for in the sporting world. Still, every time I looked, I had the opinion that as I wasn't a manual wheelchair user, I had no upper body strength, lower body strength, or middle body strength, for that matter, I wouldn't be catered for. Until last year. While watching people train, I was approached and asked: 'Do you want to have a go?' I think I looked at people as if they had two heads. Since my wheels, I had never been asked to participate in a sport. This is one reason ParalympicsGB started the 'Everybody Moves' campaign: so people could find a sport and get involved, no matter their ability. No matter where I went, I was surprised by the accessibility to sports. British Rowing, something I never thought would be accessible, explained how they adapt the boats to the individual's needs. I have since received emails inviting me to their trial days. Being afraid of water, I think I'll sit this one out, though! Sport isn't for everyone, and that is fine. These days, I am a more behind-the-computer-screen type of girl, but attending events and seeing people get involved in different sports they never thought possible was touching. WheelPower holds trial days to allow people to try new, adaptable, and inclusive sports. Being asked to cover their events, including their upcoming Junior Games, is a privilege, as you see people through their journeys. Finding a sport adapted to your disability can be even more challenging when you don't know where to start. Recommended Reading Adaptive sports are evolving. I recently discovered that a skating rink near me offers a weekly session for people with disabilities, which allows manual wheelchairs onto the ice. With the help of my PA, after 20 years next month, I will finally get back on the ice, and that is a feeling I cannot comprehend at the moment. But more local clubs need to be adaptable, especially for children. However, most teachers are unaware of how to make these changes, so it can come down to individuals to show the clubs what can be done to make them more inclusive. Starting a sport for someone with a disability can seem like a minefield. A year ago, I wouldn't have known where to look. However, there are clubs out there. It is about researching, talking, and those who are not adaptable, trying to teach them, and all of us working together.
West Australian
20 hours ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Big cheers for Aussie Steelers back on home soil
With fast and thunderous steel-on-steel collisions, first time spectators quickly learn why wheelchair rugby used to be called murderball. The sound of high-speed clashes rang out almost as loudly as cheers for the Australian Steelers this week as the side took on many of the strongest teams on earth at home for the first time since 2018. "They were all singing the national anthem at the top of their lungs and it just made me smile," Steelers star Shae Graham told AAP. "This is the first time I've had the opportunity to represent my country and play on home soil, so it means the world." The Aussies are looking towards the finals at the Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Adelaide, involving 158 players from nine nations. While the sport shares its name with rugby union, that's where the similarities end. It was specifically designed for athletes with limb impairments and is played indoors on wooden courts with mixed gender teams. "This is a ruthless, fast-paced, hard-hitting, full contact sport and no one cares whether you are male or female," Ms Graham, the first woman to represent Australia internationally, said. "It's win at all costs." Wheelchair Rugby Australia chief executive Chris Nay describes the sport as a mash-up of dodgem cars, gridiron and basketball. With a 2024 Paris Paralympic Games bronze medal and two Paralympic golds in the trophy cabinet, his aim is for the team to be as recognisable as other iconic Australian squads and hopes greater exposure could help with that. "Our north star as an organisation is Boomers, Matildas and Steelers," Mr Nay explained. "Our results stack up with any of our national teams, yet no one really knows that story. "So to change that we thought that hosting an event here every year at home is a great way to introduce the Steelers to the broader Australian public." It's proven difficult to secure a major sponsorship partner but there are hopes that could soon change with more exposure. "We're not just looking for a big sum of money to be jumped on the doorstep and nothing further to happen from there," Mr Nay said. "We really know our value as a brand and as a sport and what we could bring across athlete stories and success." The new tournament has arrived at a significant time for the Steelers, who are undergoing a period of renewal. Six of the 12 players made their debut this year, making wins over Germany, Canada and New Zealand so much sweeter. There's more than just bragging rights up for grabs in Adelaide, with the tournament offering ranking points ahead of the 2026 world championship in Sao Paolo which impact the draw for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games draw. Ms Graham suffered a spinal injury in a car crash when she was 18 and took up the sport nine years later, now training six days a week on top of her job as a librarian at the Melbourne Museum. "People don't really understand that we're actually high performance athletes, this is our job," she said. "Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced, full-contact, highly strategic game - it's super addictive to watch. "It's such a great community. No one will regret giving this sport a go."
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Big cheers for Aussie Steelers back on home soil
With fast and thunderous steel-on-steel collisions, first time spectators quickly learn why wheelchair rugby used to be called murderball. The sound of high-speed clashes rang out almost as loudly as cheers for the Australian Steelers this week as the side took on many of the strongest teams on earth at home for the first time since 2018. "They were all singing the national anthem at the top of their lungs and it just made me smile," Steelers star Shae Graham told AAP. "This is the first time I've had the opportunity to represent my country and play on home soil, so it means the world." The Aussies are looking towards the finals at the Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Adelaide, involving 158 players from nine nations. While the sport shares its name with rugby union, that's where the similarities end. It was specifically designed for athletes with limb impairments and is played indoors on wooden courts with mixed gender teams. "This is a ruthless, fast-paced, hard-hitting, full contact sport and no one cares whether you are male or female," Ms Graham, the first woman to represent Australia internationally, said. "It's win at all costs." Wheelchair Rugby Australia chief executive Chris Nay describes the sport as a mash-up of dodgem cars, gridiron and basketball. With a 2024 Paris Paralympic Games bronze medal and two Paralympic golds in the trophy cabinet, his aim is for the team to be as recognisable as other iconic Australian squads and hopes greater exposure could help with that. "Our north star as an organisation is Boomers, Matildas and Steelers," Mr Nay explained. "Our results stack up with any of our national teams, yet no one really knows that story. "So to change that we thought that hosting an event here every year at home is a great way to introduce the Steelers to the broader Australian public." It's proven difficult to secure a major sponsorship partner but there are hopes that could soon change with more exposure. "We're not just looking for a big sum of money to be jumped on the doorstep and nothing further to happen from there," Mr Nay said. "We really know our value as a brand and as a sport and what we could bring across athlete stories and success." The new tournament has arrived at a significant time for the Steelers, who are undergoing a period of renewal. Six of the 12 players made their debut this year, making wins over Germany, Canada and New Zealand so much sweeter. There's more than just bragging rights up for grabs in Adelaide, with the tournament offering ranking points ahead of the 2026 world championship in Sao Paolo which impact the draw for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games draw. Ms Graham suffered a spinal injury in a car crash when she was 18 and took up the sport nine years later, now training six days a week on top of her job as a librarian at the Melbourne Museum. "People don't really understand that we're actually high performance athletes, this is our job," she said. "Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced, full-contact, highly strategic game - it's super addictive to watch. "It's such a great community. No one will regret giving this sport a go."
West Australian
2 days ago
- Sport
- West Australian
Perth Paralympic star Taishar Ovens lauds expanded National Wheelchair Basketball League
Perth Wheelcats veteran and Paralympic star Taishar Ovens hopes an expanded National Wheelchair Basketball League will boost Australia on the global stage. Ovens' decorated decade-long career has seen her fly the flag for her nation at international events multiple times, including the Tokyo Paralympics. And she hopes the national competition expanding from four teams to six this season will help find the next generation of stars and push Australia towards Paralympic gold. 'Having more teams and more competition means hopefully we are going to get more players in the pathways to the Gliders and the Devils to be a more competitive national team,' she told The West Australian. 'Super excited to have some more rounds and women's teams this season and have some good healthy competition, which we've been lacking for a while. 'It's the biggest expansion we've had in a while, and it's just been driven by the number of people who want to be involved. 'Post COVID-19 (the growth) has been insane, I would say, even overseas with Australian players going over there to play, and now it's coming back into Australia.' Ovens has previously represented the Red Dust Heelers but says playing for her home team in Perth is 'special'. 'Coming back to a Perth team and playing in my home state is really special because you can get your family and friends around the games a lot more,' the 27-year-old said. 'I think with Perth, we're very lucky; we've got some really good natural talent. 'We like to play a real team game, but a big one to look out for is Ebony (Stevenson), who won rookie of the year last year, so hopefully, we see some good things from her again this season.' Perth will be hunting their fourth women's national title when the league tips off on May 30.
