Queensland Wheelchair AFL Team Named

Former Paralympians Alison Mosely and Michael Dobbie-Bridges headline the Queensland team at next month’s 2023 Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships in Victoria.

The Championships, co-delivered by the AFL and Disability Sports Australia, provides Australia’s most talented wheelchair footballers with the opportunity to represent their state/territory against the best in the country. 

As a teenager, Alison Mosely competed in track and field and netball but following a car accident at 18 years old, she was introduced to Wheelchair Basketball.

“Playing Wheelchair Basketball took me across the world in three Paralympic Games, and three World Cups,” she said.

“I’m still involved in the sport through coaching and administration but I joined the Beenleigh Buffaloes for the inaugural season of the Queensland Wheelchair Football League, and I’ve loved every minute of being back on the court.

“I also had the opportunity to play for the Brisbane Lions in the Wheelchair QClash.”

Michael Dobbie-Bridges is no stranger to the representative spotlight as he comes fresh off winning the inaugural Queensland Football Wheelchair League for Morningside Panthers and leading the Brisbane Lions to a clean sweep in the recent Wheelchair QClash.

Following a motorbike accident at 21, Dobbie Bridges found wheelchair basketball and tennis and would go on to represent Australia in Tennis at a Paralympic Games.

He only took up Wheelchair AFL in 2022 and has enjoyed growing the game each season.

“I love being part of the leadership that is growing our game and providing the opportunities for generations to come,” he said.

“The footy community and setting an example for my son is why I play footy.”

Queensland Coach and AFL Queensland’s Participation and Programs Manager – Schools, Inclusion and Diversity Jeff Neumann, said the group were excited to travel to Melbourne and show the country what Queensland has to offer on court.

“This is the second year Queensland has entered a team in the Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships and the players are looking forward to representing their state again,” he said.

“We have some returning players in Michael Dobbie-Bridges, Kent McKelvie, Chris Robson, and Stephen French, but the rest of our players are new to the team.

The 2023 Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships is part of the AFL’s Diversity and Inclusion program supported by Toyota, which saw the National Inclusion Carnival held in Ipswich this year.

The 2023 Queensland Team competing at Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships:

Coach – Jeff Neumann, AFL

Assistant Coach – Richard Wittig, Morningside Panthers

Team Manager- Rebecca McDonald, Morningside Panthers

Physio – Lucy Douglas