More players than ever will have the chance to pick up a footy with the introduction of the inaugural Queensland Wheelchair Football League next month with four foundation clubs.
The Ormeau Bulldogs, Beenleigh Buffaloes, Morningside Panthers, and Redcliffe Tigers will play a six-game season throughout June, July, and August.
Morningside Panthers Director Richard Wittig said the club was looking forward to providing more people with the opportunity to play Aussie Rules.
“It’s going to be really special and it’s really exciting for the club to be able to expand further into other parts of the game,” he said.
Redcliffe Tigers President Gayle Wetzel said it was great to see Wheelchair AFL gaining momentum in Queensland.
“For us it’s about being inclusive and wanting people, able bodied or not, to love the sport as much as we do,” she said.
Ormeau Bulldogs President Myles Garner agreed and said a lot of their players watched their relatives play in Victoria’s Wheelchair AFL competition.
“As a club we’ve seen massive growth in the girls Aussie Rules so having a Wheelchair AFL competition is just the next step to inviting another group of people who may not be able to run around on the field but can still play Aussie Rules,” he said.
He is especially looking forward to the rivalry match against Beenleigh just around the corner.
Beenleigh Buffaloes President Michael Jordan said the Wheelchair AFL competition showed just how far Australian Rules has come in the last 25 years.
“Aussie Rules was predominately male dominated and we’ve since introduced the women’s competition and now to see an AFL Wheelchair competition introduced, it’s a massive step forward to get more people involved in the game,” he said.
The competition will be headlined by All-Australian players Tristan Orchard and Andrew Miller and Paralympian Michael Dobbie-Bridges.
The competition starts on June 11 at the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre.
Players of all ages and abilities are invited to the Season Launch and Come and Try Day this Sunday, 28 May from 12-2pm at the University of Queensland.
AFL Wheelchair is five-a-side game played on a basketball court. A kick is a handball, and a handball is an underarm throw. From the inaugural season, players can be drafted to the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS teams for the two-game QClash series before State selection and Nationals in November.
For more information: jeff.neumann@afl.com.au.
