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WA Paralympic silver medallist Amber Merritt will represent her state for the first time at the 2023 Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships in Melbourne this week.
A silver medallist in wheelchair basketball at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, Merritt also won silver at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games in the 3 x 3 competition.
After taking part at the inaugural Championship in 2016, this will be the second time WA has fielded a side for the event, which features Australia’s elite men’s and women’s wheelchair footballers.
WA team
Ben Green – West Coast Eagles
Phil Evans - Subiaco
Simon Koric – Swan Districts
Ryan Zilioli - Subiaco
Rob Petersen - Perth
Amber Merritt – Swan Districts
Arnie Razon (Collingwood – WA draftee will meet us in Melbourne)
Riley Fitzgerald (Collingwood – WA draftee will meet us in Melbourne)
Hayden Marchetto (Coach)
Brad Dunkin (Umpire)
Co-delivered by the AFL and Disability Sports Australia (DSA) – and proudly supported by Toyota – the championships run from Thursday to Sunday this week.
Highlighting the growth and popularity of Australian wheelchair football, more than 90 players across nine mixed teams will compete for the coveted title, marking the second consecutive year each state and territory is represented, along with a team from the Returned Services League of Australia (RSL).
A ‘lightning carnival’ format consisting of 37 games will take place over the first two days, with the top five teams progressing to division one and the remaining four teams placed into division two, with the championships culminating in grand finals.
Since DSA established the carnival in 2016, South Australia has won four division one titles (2016-2019), while Victoria took home its inaugural crown in 2022, and as the reigning champ, will be looking to defend its premiership.
An ‘All Star Game’ will also feature on the final day of the event, with wheelchair footballers from the championships battling it out with some famous faces including GWS GIANTS captain, Toby Greene, Western Bulldog forward, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Wheelchair Rugby Paralympic gold medallist, Ryley Batt OAM, actor Samuel Johnson OAM, and the AFL’s Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld.
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A delighted Auld said he was looking forward to the 2023 Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships starting on Thursday.
“I can’t wait to watch our best wheelchair footballers in action this week all vying to take home the cup, it’s going to be a fierce contest with plenty of skill, endurance and tactics on display,” Auld said.
“These championships follow the recent success of the 2023 Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival which was held in Queensland and highlights the inclusive way our game can be adapted to ensure everyone has an opportunity to play Australian football and represent their state and territory on the national stage.
“In addition to the ‘All Star Game’ on Sunday we’ll also be running an all-women’s Wheelchair AFL match to promote and encourage female participation, and for the first time at these championships, we’ll have wheelchair Auskick take part in half-time Grand Final activations which will be a wonderful experience for the children.
“We know these inclusive pathways to play footy are rapidly growing year-on-year and as a sport we’re committed to investing funds and resources to make sure we’re providing the best opportunity and experiences for everyone, as we strive for our goal to have footy in every home.
“I’d like to thank DSA and Toyota for their continued support and wish all the wheelchair footballers, coaches, staff and families all the best for the championships and encourage the community to head along and support this wonderful event.”
Toyota Australia Chief Marketing Officer, Vin Naidoo, said Toyota was honoured to continue supporting the 2023 Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships.
“Through our partnership with the AFL, Toyota is committed to growing the game at all levels and making it accessible for all, so it’s fantastic to see the continued growth of Australian wheelchair football since the championship’s inception in 2016.
“With such talented players vying for the cup it will be an action-packed week that shouldn’t be missed. We wish all the teams best of luck in the competition.”
The 2023 Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championships are also supported by the Victorian Government, APM Employment Services and the Australian Defence Force.
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