1 00:00:05,160 --> 00:00:07,960 Speaker 1: As you're hear in this episode. It was a lost 2 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:12,320 Speaker 1: bet with her brother that finally got Shay playing wheelchair rugby, 3 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:15,520 Speaker 1: and I think Australia should be very, very thankful for 4 00:00:15,680 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: that bet. In twenty nineteen, she became the first and 5 00:00:19,079 --> 00:00:21,600 Speaker 1: only woman at the time to play in the mixed 6 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:23,799 Speaker 1: gender Australian wheelchair rugby. 7 00:00:23,560 --> 00:00:24,800 Speaker 2: Team, the Stealers. 8 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: She debuted at the Paralympics in Tokyo in twenty twenty 9 00:00:29,720 --> 00:00:32,159 Speaker 1: one and is on track to hopefully be on that 10 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: plane to head over to Paris in twenty twenty four. 11 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:40,239 Speaker 1: Shae is an incredible wheelchair rugby player. She's also on 12 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:46,199 Speaker 1: board the Athlete Representative Council for World Wheelchair Rugby. She's 13 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 1: trying to create an athlete council there. It was an 14 00:00:49,479 --> 00:00:52,519 Speaker 1: incredible chat with Shae. I really really enjoyed getting to 15 00:00:52,560 --> 00:00:55,240 Speaker 1: know more about her story, more about her as a person. 16 00:00:55,520 --> 00:00:56,520 Speaker 2: I hope you enjoy it. 17 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 1: Shay Graham, Welcome to the Female Athlete Project. 18 00:01:03,080 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 3: Thanks thanks for having me. Really excited to be here. 19 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:07,480 Speaker 1: I had to chat to you just before we hit 20 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:09,759 Speaker 1: record about the fact that BESI and I have loved 21 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:12,520 Speaker 1: supporting you from AFAR and your name often comes up 22 00:01:12,520 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: in our weekly podcast on the Rap about what you 23 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:16,600 Speaker 1: are achieving with the Steelers. 24 00:01:17,120 --> 00:01:18,800 Speaker 2: Before we get into where. 25 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:20,839 Speaker 1: It's at at the moment, can you take us back 26 00:01:20,840 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 1: and describe what Shay was like as a little kid. 27 00:01:25,160 --> 00:01:28,919 Speaker 3: Yeah, of course. So as a little kid, I think 28 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:34,280 Speaker 3: I was shy, which I think would shock a lot 29 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:39,240 Speaker 3: of people these days. But I'm pretty shy and not 30 00:01:39,360 --> 00:01:43,600 Speaker 3: really sure what she wanted to do. I guess I 31 00:01:43,640 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 3: grew up in a really sporty household. Dad played like 32 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:54,440 Speaker 3: rugby league, Rugby Union, AFL, touch football, So I was 33 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 3: born in the Northern Territory, huge sporty like community up there, 34 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:02,960 Speaker 3: and then when we moved to Queensland, grew up like 35 00:02:03,200 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 3: around the rugby league fields, in the touch footy fields. 36 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:10,680 Speaker 3: So but I wasn't really sure what I guess my 37 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:15,560 Speaker 3: niche sport was gonna be. I tried dancing and it 38 00:02:15,600 --> 00:02:19,320 Speaker 3: wasn't for me. And then I went into soccer when 39 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 3: I was like eleven years old, and yeah, loved loved soccer. Again, 40 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 3: it was kind of male dominated sport at the time, 41 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 3: and went into a team as only female, but yeah, 42 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:37,359 Speaker 3: I loved I loved soccer growing up and then branched 43 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:44,720 Speaker 3: off into a bit of touch football, did play rugby 44 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:48,320 Speaker 3: union for a little bit, and then also did a 45 00:02:48,320 --> 00:02:52,679 Speaker 3: lot of athletics, short distance running, sprinting, that sort of thing. 46 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:57,919 Speaker 3: So when I discovered my sport, I then branched out 47 00:02:58,080 --> 00:03:01,040 Speaker 3: and I was just a sporty kid, which my parents 48 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 3: probably hated because they were running around everywhere after me. 49 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:08,600 Speaker 3: But yeah, I think sport was definitely what like gave 50 00:03:08,639 --> 00:03:12,240 Speaker 3: me that confidence and built that confidence over time and 51 00:03:12,360 --> 00:03:13,920 Speaker 3: broke me out of my shy little shell. 52 00:03:14,480 --> 00:03:16,839 Speaker 1: And when you said you were born in the NTA 53 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:19,160 Speaker 1: moved to queensane was Ossie rules on the Raider. It's 54 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:21,320 Speaker 1: obviously such a big sport up there, was it As 55 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: soon as you're in Queensland it was all rugby league. 56 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, Like I was only still really young when we 57 00:03:27,639 --> 00:03:30,360 Speaker 3: left the Northern Territory. I was like five turning six. 58 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:35,120 Speaker 3: But like it's seasonal sport up there, so it's like 59 00:03:35,240 --> 00:03:40,240 Speaker 3: either rugby league, it's AFL, it's cricket, like it's all 60 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:46,280 Speaker 3: just like constantly in motion. And I guess like Dad, 61 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:50,800 Speaker 3: he was born in New South Wales, so like rugby 62 00:03:50,880 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 3: league was a huge thing. But he also like was 63 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 3: into AFL as well. So I grew up having both 64 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 3: sports in the household, which was amazing. Yes, Rugby league 65 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:03,760 Speaker 3: very dominant up in Queensland. 66 00:04:04,280 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 1: And I can see behind you on your wall, you've 67 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 1: got some pretty cool jerseys hanging behind you, A couple of. 68 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:11,880 Speaker 2: Just a couple. 69 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:16,359 Speaker 1: What was your first exposure to wheelchair rugby, like and 70 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:17,440 Speaker 1: where did that come from. 71 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 3: I have such a ridiculous story when it comes to 72 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:25,039 Speaker 3: wheelchair rugby. So I was a backseat passenger in a 73 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 3: car crash when I was eighteen years old, and like, 74 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 3: having been such a sporty like kid and teenager, you know, 75 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:37,640 Speaker 3: sported becomes such a big part of my identity and 76 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:40,240 Speaker 3: I kind of felt like i'd lost that when I 77 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:44,400 Speaker 3: lost the ability to walk, and like wanting to take 78 00:04:44,440 --> 00:04:48,520 Speaker 3: some sort of control back of my life, and I guess, 79 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:51,360 Speaker 3: like not wanting to lose anything else, I made a 80 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:54,240 Speaker 3: stupid decision while I was still in hospital to retire 81 00:04:54,360 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 3: from like all sport, and I stupidly stuck to that 82 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:04,040 Speaker 3: for like nine years. But I was actually introduced to 83 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 3: wheelchair rugby when I was in rehab, like in the 84 00:05:07,440 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 3: spinal unit at the time. The documentary Motiball was like 85 00:05:12,200 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 3: making the rounds and I was the youngest like on 86 00:05:18,200 --> 00:05:20,919 Speaker 3: the ward, but also one of the only females on 87 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 3: the ward as well. So we came out of the 88 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:26,320 Speaker 3: little cinema thing that it was being shown in and 89 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:28,719 Speaker 3: all the guys were like, yes, I can't wait to 90 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 3: give wheelchair rugby a go, and I said, I'm not. 91 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:34,040 Speaker 3: I'll never play that sport. I don't want to play 92 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:35,840 Speaker 3: a sport where it looks like everyone's just trying to 93 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:41,040 Speaker 3: kill each other. Yeah. And then nine years later, with 94 00:05:41,120 --> 00:05:44,600 Speaker 3: lots of like along the way, I had lots of 95 00:05:44,640 --> 00:05:47,880 Speaker 3: people trying to get me involved, but it took a 96 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 3: bet with my brother for me to get involved with 97 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:55,919 Speaker 3: wheelchair rugby. So yeah, it was about nine years later 98 00:05:56,000 --> 00:06:00,440 Speaker 3: and we were in Amsterdam and lost a little at 99 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:03,480 Speaker 3: the pub and when I came back to Australia, I 100 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 3: got online, found out where I could go give it 101 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 3: a go and hopped in my first chair and that's it. 102 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:12,400 Speaker 2: And so here. So if you'd lost the bet, you 103 00:06:12,480 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 2: had to try the sport. Is that what it was? 104 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:18,760 Speaker 3: Yeah? I had to give wheelchair rugby a go. So yeah, 105 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,040 Speaker 3: lost a bet, and you know, lose a bet, you 106 00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 3: got to pay up so I went found a wheelchair, 107 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:28,040 Speaker 3: rugby chair and a bunch of guys and hopped in 108 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:28,960 Speaker 3: a chair and gave it a go. 109 00:06:29,480 --> 00:06:31,760 Speaker 2: That's cool. What was it like turning up to try 110 00:06:31,800 --> 00:06:32,800 Speaker 2: your first sever time? 111 00:06:34,440 --> 00:06:37,920 Speaker 3: Oh? I was scared because it is from the outside 112 00:06:37,960 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 3: a very intimidating sport. I was scared. But the guys 113 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:46,440 Speaker 3: are so lovely and especially like in that sort of 114 00:06:46,560 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 3: environment where it's like a Wednesday night muck around can't 115 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:53,839 Speaker 3: where everyone just gets together. There's no reaths, the rules 116 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 3: are there aren't really any rules, okay, it's just like 117 00:06:57,160 --> 00:07:00,360 Speaker 3: a really nice environment to try and learn in and 118 00:07:00,480 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 3: you know, you're hop in a chair and everyone's like 119 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 3: super supportive and like helping you out and showing you 120 00:07:06,440 --> 00:07:11,160 Speaker 3: the ropes and it was just really fun. And I 121 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:15,120 Speaker 3: think like in that moment, I realized what my stubbornness 122 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 3: had been making me miss out on for those nine years. 123 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 3: Like the community of sport is like one of my 124 00:07:20,920 --> 00:07:23,840 Speaker 3: favorite things about it. So as soon as I was 125 00:07:23,880 --> 00:07:27,200 Speaker 3: like back around a team and they were just like 126 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 3: trying to build me up and like get me like 127 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 3: to be a good player, you know, like so welcoming 128 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:35,240 Speaker 3: and lovely, I was just like, yeah, this is it. 129 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:37,200 Speaker 3: I'm back, like sport is back. 130 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:38,120 Speaker 2: That's awesome. 131 00:07:38,160 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 1: I think that's the coolest thing about sport, right that community. 132 00:07:41,400 --> 00:07:42,760 Speaker 1: What do you think it was, Like, what do you 133 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 1: think the biggest thing that was in you that was 134 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:46,720 Speaker 1: pushing back when people were trying to pressure you to 135 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:48,280 Speaker 1: get involved in those early years. 136 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:53,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, Ultimately, like having many many years to look back 137 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 3: at that now, I think it was the fact that, 138 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:02,680 Speaker 3: like you go, like, obviously I was this independent, like 139 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:08,200 Speaker 3: eighteen year old, able bodied girl who had like her 140 00:08:08,240 --> 00:08:10,840 Speaker 3: whole life planned out ahead of her and was like 141 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 3: keen for all these like big adventures that involved walking, 142 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:21,520 Speaker 3: and then I, you know, had that all taken away 143 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:24,600 Speaker 3: from me in like literally the blink of an eye, 144 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 3: and it was like such a big thing to lose 145 00:08:29,560 --> 00:08:33,720 Speaker 3: and it was so hard to deal with that that, Like, 146 00:08:34,040 --> 00:08:37,640 Speaker 3: I think in my head, I never thought like wheelchair 147 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:39,800 Speaker 3: sport was going to be the same, So I thought, 148 00:08:39,840 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 3: like I'd be going in and playing something and it 149 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:48,120 Speaker 3: just wouldn't feel like it used to. So I guess, yeah, 150 00:08:48,200 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 3: I didn't want to find out. I didn't want to 151 00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:54,360 Speaker 3: test and find out if I'd lost, like if I 152 00:08:54,400 --> 00:08:57,480 Speaker 3: was going to lose sports. So I guess I just 153 00:08:57,520 --> 00:09:01,120 Speaker 3: made the decision to not get involved with it so 154 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:04,719 Speaker 3: that I didn't lose something else. That is a very 155 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:06,640 Speaker 3: messy answer, but that's my man. 156 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 2: It's your story, it's your answer, right. 157 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:11,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's so cool then to hear the way that 158 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 1: you felt really embraced in that community. 159 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 2: How long did it take to learn? 160 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:19,480 Speaker 1: I've worked as a physio in the Acute Spinal Awards 161 00:09:19,480 --> 00:09:21,280 Speaker 1: and that process of people having to learn how to 162 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:23,520 Speaker 1: use a wheelchair who haven't used it before. You've got 163 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:26,200 Speaker 1: to learn to use that functionally. But then what's the 164 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:28,359 Speaker 1: process like actually becoming an elite. 165 00:09:28,160 --> 00:09:29,439 Speaker 2: Athlete using your wheelchair? 166 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:34,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a long road. I think there's still things 167 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,840 Speaker 3: like to this day, I've been playing like wheelchair rugby 168 00:09:37,880 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 3: now like for fun and is part of the Australian 169 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:44,200 Speaker 3: team for fun like it was five years and then 170 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 3: into the Australian team nearly for five years as well, 171 00:09:47,040 --> 00:09:50,360 Speaker 3: So ten years of playing wheelchair rugby and there's still 172 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:52,760 Speaker 3: things that I'm learning about like how to use the 173 00:09:52,880 --> 00:09:57,480 Speaker 3: chair or positioning and things. So yeah, I don't think 174 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 3: there's a day that goes by that there's not something 175 00:10:00,559 --> 00:10:03,400 Speaker 3: new to learn in my sport, which makes it super exciting. 176 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:06,439 Speaker 1: Can you break down the sport that they call murdible 177 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:08,960 Speaker 1: for us for people who might not have watched it. 178 00:10:08,880 --> 00:10:10,679 Speaker 1: It may have seen it, but don't understand it. 179 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:18,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, So wheelchair rugby is this super fast paced, highly strategic, 180 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:29,400 Speaker 3: mixed gender, full contact sport that people with like courd disabilities. 181 00:10:29,440 --> 00:10:31,040 Speaker 3: I guess you'd say, so you need to have at 182 00:10:31,120 --> 00:10:36,360 Speaker 3: least four of your limbs affected to be classifiable. Yeah, 183 00:10:36,400 --> 00:10:41,520 Speaker 3: it's kind of like Dodgem cars, but highly strategic and 184 00:10:41,720 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 3: really fun and really competitive. It just draws you in 185 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:49,320 Speaker 3: and keeps you there. It's such a fun sport. 186 00:10:50,440 --> 00:10:50,680 Speaker 2: Yeah. 187 00:10:50,760 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 3: I don't think I've done very well explaining it. But anyway, 188 00:10:53,760 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 3: there's four players on like four players per team on 189 00:10:58,760 --> 00:11:03,280 Speaker 3: the court at one time. Of those players, your classifications 190 00:11:03,280 --> 00:11:06,040 Speaker 3: need up to add up to eight points. If you've 191 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 3: got a female on the court, you get an extra 192 00:11:08,160 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 3: point five for each female. And then you've got forty 193 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:18,280 Speaker 3: seconds to score. In that forty seconds, you have to 194 00:11:18,360 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 3: have advanced it into your attacking half in twelve seconds, 195 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:24,680 Speaker 3: and then you have to either bounce or pass the 196 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 3: ball every ten seconds, so super fast. And then the 197 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:32,400 Speaker 3: strategy really comes in when you're matching your lineup against 198 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:38,160 Speaker 3: other teams lineups and stuff. Yeah, and then yeah, super fun. 199 00:11:38,920 --> 00:11:45,240 Speaker 3: It's eight eight minute running shot stop clock quarters, so 200 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:48,400 Speaker 3: the game can go from anywhere from an hour to 201 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:52,320 Speaker 3: an hour and a half and we never end on 202 00:11:52,360 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 3: a draw, so the game can continue on into overtime, 203 00:11:56,360 --> 00:11:59,640 Speaker 3: which can be thrilling and really nerve wracking. 204 00:11:59,720 --> 00:11:59,920 Speaker 2: Yeah. 205 00:12:00,080 --> 00:12:04,200 Speaker 1: Absolutely, What did your pathway look like going from trying 206 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:07,880 Speaker 1: it after losing your bed to getting to represent your 207 00:12:07,920 --> 00:12:11,000 Speaker 1: country on the international stage in twenty nineteen? I think 208 00:12:11,000 --> 00:12:12,440 Speaker 1: it was your major debut. 209 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:18,280 Speaker 3: Yeah I did. Yeah, I guess the pathways changed a 210 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 3: lot now, But when I first started it, so I start, 211 00:12:23,520 --> 00:12:25,320 Speaker 3: I got in the chair I think at the end 212 00:12:25,400 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 3: of twenty fourteen and so not long till the RIO Games, 213 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:35,960 Speaker 3: and I instantly fell in love with like the challenge 214 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:39,440 Speaker 3: of the sport and kind of set myself a ridiculous 215 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:44,439 Speaker 3: goal to get RIO ready, not understanding what that meant, 216 00:12:44,559 --> 00:12:46,600 Speaker 3: what it was going to take or what was like 217 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:52,760 Speaker 3: expected of like us wheelchair rugby athletes at our high 218 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:56,240 Speaker 3: performance level. And I still didn't even know the rules yet. 219 00:12:56,280 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 3: So yeah, I kind of like set my self this 220 00:13:00,520 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 3: goal I wanted to play for Australia, and then yeah, 221 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:09,240 Speaker 3: of the next I guess like four ish years I 222 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:14,319 Speaker 3: worked at that. So started off on Wednesday nights obviously, 223 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:17,920 Speaker 3: like at the muck Round comp, like just playing with 224 00:13:18,000 --> 00:13:22,679 Speaker 3: the guys, learning the rules, and then you know, like 225 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:25,480 Speaker 3: they start off really kind and only hit you really 226 00:13:25,520 --> 00:13:28,640 Speaker 3: like softly, and as you start to like pick up 227 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:31,800 Speaker 3: the rules and start to get more competitive, the hits 228 00:13:31,840 --> 00:13:35,400 Speaker 3: get harder and the game gets faster and it gets 229 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:39,440 Speaker 3: more exciting and more challenging. So yeah, they were pushing me. 230 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 3: And then from there we're super lucky and Victoria to 231 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:47,600 Speaker 3: have a really like big pool of players. So we 232 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:51,559 Speaker 3: have a local comp where we have relationship with for 233 00:13:52,679 --> 00:13:57,480 Speaker 3: rugby league rugby union clubs here in Victoria, and I 234 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 3: got invited down to be on a team there, which 235 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:03,200 Speaker 3: I guess was like the next step in my development 236 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:08,520 Speaker 3: as a player. And then from there I got invited 237 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 3: to be on like a development team for National Champs, 238 00:14:13,960 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 3: which used to be three rounds instead of just the 239 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 3: one like major comp that it is now, and so 240 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 3: I went there and then from there I just kept 241 00:14:25,000 --> 00:14:28,280 Speaker 3: working my way up. Eventually I got on the national 242 00:14:28,360 --> 00:14:34,440 Speaker 3: championship team, and I just kept like trying to learn 243 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:37,240 Speaker 3: as much as I could and push myself against like 244 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:41,160 Speaker 3: all the players to try and kind of say to 245 00:14:41,240 --> 00:14:43,880 Speaker 3: the coaches like I'm here, like pick me, let me 246 00:14:43,920 --> 00:14:48,560 Speaker 3: be on your team. So it wasn't I think. In 247 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 3: twenty eighteen, I was pretty excited. I'd like finish my 248 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 3: master's degree and I was like, yes, I can commit 249 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 3: heaps of time to this. And then I went off 250 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:02,480 Speaker 3: to Mexic When I came back and got pretty sick 251 00:15:03,720 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 3: and ended up like wiped out for three months, and 252 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 3: I thought, damn, like this is my chance gone. But 253 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:12,960 Speaker 3: I was pretty lucky and that I came back and 254 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:16,160 Speaker 3: just got my spot back on the National Champs team. 255 00:15:17,080 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 3: And it was after that National Champs round in twenty 256 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:26,640 Speaker 3: and eighteen that Jace Lees, who's now the assistant coach 257 00:15:26,680 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 3: of the Steelers, asked me how far I kind of 258 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 3: wanted to go with the sport, and I was like, look, 259 00:15:33,800 --> 00:15:35,920 Speaker 3: I want to see how fire I can go, Like 260 00:15:36,080 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 3: this is all just a challenge and I want to 261 00:15:38,200 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 3: push myself. So yeah, if you've got any tips or anything, 262 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:46,120 Speaker 3: let me know. And he spoke to the coaches about 263 00:15:46,200 --> 00:15:49,040 Speaker 3: getting me because he was a player for the Steelers 264 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:52,880 Speaker 3: at the time to come down and help out at 265 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:56,000 Speaker 3: a training session on like a Friday, so they were 266 00:15:56,040 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 3: prepping for a tournament. I was just coming down as 267 00:15:58,440 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 3: an extra player to help power and then from there 268 00:16:02,320 --> 00:16:05,680 Speaker 3: quite quickly it became like helping out on a Friday, 269 00:16:05,760 --> 00:16:08,600 Speaker 3: to helping out on a Wednesday, to like them trying 270 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 3: to get me to help out on a Monday, which 271 00:16:11,680 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 3: was a bit hard to do while I was still 272 00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:20,440 Speaker 3: in juggling work. But yeah, I got invited to Stealer's 273 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:22,880 Speaker 3: camp at the start of twenty nineteen, and not long 274 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:25,600 Speaker 3: after that got my spot on the team, and yeah, 275 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:26,480 Speaker 3: I haven't looked back. 276 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:29,080 Speaker 1: Oh it's so cool. And can you touch on the 277 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:32,720 Speaker 1: fact that it is a mixed gender sport. It's really cool. 278 00:16:32,760 --> 00:16:34,640 Speaker 1: I think when we get to follow along and how 279 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 1: well you guys often perform as a team and highlighting 280 00:16:37,840 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 1: you and Ella and the work that you do in 281 00:16:39,240 --> 00:16:39,680 Speaker 1: that space. 282 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:40,120 Speaker 2: What is it? 283 00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:43,720 Speaker 1: What is it like playing a sport that was traditionally 284 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:46,680 Speaker 1: a men's only team. Yeah, I mean. 285 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:50,720 Speaker 3: I feel like initially that was like one of the 286 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 3: biggest and like, don't get me wrong, beat Up is 287 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 3: amazing and like a leader in you know, diversifying the 288 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:02,400 Speaker 3: team and bringing in like women. Australia is always kind 289 00:17:02,440 --> 00:17:05,600 Speaker 3: of well, it is leading the way in that space. 290 00:17:07,160 --> 00:17:10,280 Speaker 3: But I think like initially I was coming up against 291 00:17:10,320 --> 00:17:14,959 Speaker 3: this like barrier having met that hadn't been like a 292 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:17,920 Speaker 3: woman on the team before, and I feel like that's 293 00:17:18,200 --> 00:17:20,200 Speaker 3: kind of what I was trying to prove that, like 294 00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:23,639 Speaker 3: I'm just as strong, I'm just as fast, I'm just 295 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:25,119 Speaker 3: as strategic. 296 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:25,240 Speaker 2: As the guys. 297 00:17:25,359 --> 00:17:28,639 Speaker 3: Initially, and like, I don't know if that's like a 298 00:17:28,680 --> 00:17:32,200 Speaker 3: self like something that I just felt and it wasn't 299 00:17:32,240 --> 00:17:36,680 Speaker 3: actually a thing, but yeah, like made the team and 300 00:17:37,119 --> 00:17:41,680 Speaker 3: for the the first little while, I was the only female, 301 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:46,320 Speaker 3: first and only female to represent Australia, and you know, 302 00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:51,280 Speaker 3: I fit in with the guys. It's an easy sport. 303 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 3: It's such a great community. And then not long after 304 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:56,840 Speaker 3: that we were bringing like there's there's a lot of 305 00:17:56,880 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 3: females that play nationally here in Australia. But not long 306 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:04,680 Speaker 3: after that we were starting to bring in other players 307 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:09,320 Speaker 3: and we stole Ella from wheelchair basketball and yeah, it's 308 00:18:09,359 --> 00:18:11,400 Speaker 3: so great to have her on the team. We've got 309 00:18:11,680 --> 00:18:18,439 Speaker 3: m and Robin too. Robin from wheelchair Athletics. So yeah, 310 00:18:18,480 --> 00:18:22,239 Speaker 3: there's like a crew of us now, and it's like 311 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:27,280 Speaker 3: it just gives our team and like here not just 312 00:18:27,560 --> 00:18:31,080 Speaker 3: like the stealers, but like the national teams and stuff, 313 00:18:31,240 --> 00:18:34,880 Speaker 3: so much more depth and its yeah, it's only good 314 00:18:34,880 --> 00:18:37,640 Speaker 3: for the team to bring in more females, I think. 315 00:18:37,520 --> 00:18:40,880 Speaker 1: And you touched on that wanting to prove yourself as 316 00:18:40,880 --> 00:18:44,200 Speaker 1: a female. I think like when I'm playing Ozzie Rules, 317 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 1: when i play AFLW, I almost feel like I'm trying 318 00:18:46,440 --> 00:18:49,360 Speaker 1: to prove my value as a female athlete, even though 319 00:18:49,359 --> 00:18:52,000 Speaker 1: we don't play against the men. But I imagine that's 320 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:55,480 Speaker 1: quite a unique experience for you guys because you have 321 00:18:55,560 --> 00:18:58,320 Speaker 1: to prove yourselves while doing it actually against the men 322 00:18:58,400 --> 00:18:58,880 Speaker 1: in a way. 323 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:03,360 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, it's great. It's so fun to beat them. 324 00:19:03,920 --> 00:19:04,480 Speaker 2: I love that. 325 00:19:05,480 --> 00:19:08,000 Speaker 3: It's like, yeah, I don't know, it's one of my 326 00:19:08,119 --> 00:19:11,760 Speaker 3: favorite things about the sport is that it is a 327 00:19:11,800 --> 00:19:14,959 Speaker 3: mixed gender sport and you do, like you go up 328 00:19:14,960 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 3: against these battles against like men who are genetically like 329 00:19:19,960 --> 00:19:24,480 Speaker 3: made to be stronger and faster, and you have to 330 00:19:25,160 --> 00:19:29,680 Speaker 3: either beat them at that or be smarter, and it's 331 00:19:29,880 --> 00:19:33,960 Speaker 3: so fun to like have those little internal battles. I mean, 332 00:19:33,960 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 3: I don't think they're having them. They just want to 333 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:38,760 Speaker 3: beat me. But it's so good when you beat the boys, 334 00:19:38,800 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 3: it's so fun. 335 00:19:39,840 --> 00:19:40,520 Speaker 2: I love that. 336 00:19:40,520 --> 00:19:43,440 Speaker 1: That's really cool. What was it like being named in 337 00:19:43,480 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 1: your first Paralympic team that was going to hit on 338 00:19:46,520 --> 00:19:48,320 Speaker 1: the get on the plane to head over to Tokyo. 339 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:53,119 Speaker 3: Yeah, so it was super exciting because they kind of 340 00:19:54,080 --> 00:19:57,240 Speaker 3: named the team or kind of let us know before 341 00:19:57,320 --> 00:20:03,800 Speaker 3: the whole COVID world shutting down suation. So obviously super excited. 342 00:20:03,800 --> 00:20:07,200 Speaker 3: The family was all cousins, friends were all like getting 343 00:20:07,200 --> 00:20:11,080 Speaker 3: ready to buy tickets and get accommodation and stuff in Tokyo. 344 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:17,159 Speaker 3: And yeah, super exciting, like to know that, you know, 345 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:19,560 Speaker 3: not only had I made the Australian team, but I 346 00:20:19,600 --> 00:20:22,760 Speaker 3: was going to represent Australia out of Paralympic Games too. 347 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 3: And then yeah, the world shut down and it went 348 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:32,439 Speaker 3: from like being super super excited about potentially achieving like 349 00:20:32,480 --> 00:20:38,439 Speaker 3: a childhood dream and then you know, the world falling 350 00:20:38,480 --> 00:20:40,720 Speaker 3: over and not knowing if you were going to get there, 351 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:45,720 Speaker 3: which was tough. But yeah, when they made the announcement 352 00:20:45,760 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 3: that it was just going to be postponed for that 353 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:52,160 Speaker 3: year like that. That was amazing like that, Yeah, because 354 00:20:52,480 --> 00:20:54,680 Speaker 3: in my head I was like, oh, I don't if 355 00:20:54,680 --> 00:20:56,840 Speaker 3: this isn't happening. I don't know if I can hold 356 00:20:56,880 --> 00:21:01,280 Speaker 3: on for like another four years. I don't know. But yeah, 357 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:04,680 Speaker 3: it exciting to be named on the first one. Very 358 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:09,400 Speaker 3: different obviously to head to Tokyo with no crowds and 359 00:21:09,800 --> 00:21:13,760 Speaker 3: you know, kind of be in lockdown in another country 360 00:21:14,080 --> 00:21:17,840 Speaker 3: because you're told that the Paralympics are going to be 361 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:20,239 Speaker 3: the biggest competition that you've ever been to in your 362 00:21:20,240 --> 00:21:22,800 Speaker 3: whole life, and you know, you turn up and look 363 00:21:22,880 --> 00:21:26,879 Speaker 3: up in these giant stadiums and there's like three or 364 00:21:26,880 --> 00:21:29,720 Speaker 3: four people like sitting one hundred meters apart. 365 00:21:31,200 --> 00:21:33,639 Speaker 1: How did it feel being part of a team that 366 00:21:33,800 --> 00:21:37,640 Speaker 1: has such a rich history from a high performance perspective, 367 00:21:37,680 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 1: So the Steelers were going in defending champs I think 368 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:44,240 Speaker 1: had won of the two previous Paralympic gold medals. How 369 00:21:44,280 --> 00:21:45,960 Speaker 1: did it feel to be a part of a team 370 00:21:46,040 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 1: that was so elite? Yeah? 371 00:21:50,119 --> 00:21:54,879 Speaker 3: Loo, I honestly felt nothing but privilege and still do 372 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:59,800 Speaker 3: to be part of the Steelers, Like I said, even 373 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:03,320 Speaker 3: like though it was like a local comp thing and 374 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,080 Speaker 3: like everyone was like it was such a good community. 375 00:22:06,119 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 3: It's the same thing with the Steelers, Like everyone has 376 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:14,680 Speaker 3: this like want to build each other up and make 377 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:17,480 Speaker 3: everyone like the best player they possibly can be. And 378 00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:19,359 Speaker 3: I don't think I've ever been a part of a 379 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:23,959 Speaker 3: team like that before. So, you know, like going in, 380 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:29,280 Speaker 3: you know, like it was my first Paralympics and I 381 00:22:29,359 --> 00:22:31,560 Speaker 3: was freaking out, But I was with these guys that 382 00:22:31,640 --> 00:22:33,440 Speaker 3: have been on the team and been to like two 383 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:36,640 Speaker 3: Paralympic games, and they're they're like supporting you and backing 384 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:39,880 Speaker 3: you up. And you've got like two of the best 385 00:22:39,880 --> 00:22:44,480 Speaker 3: players in the world like on your team, and yeah, 386 00:22:44,600 --> 00:22:48,480 Speaker 3: I don't know, it's there's something magic about being on 387 00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:53,320 Speaker 3: the Steelers team and they just bring you in. You're 388 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:57,880 Speaker 3: not you, You're not other, like you're a Steeler like you, 389 00:22:57,880 --> 00:23:01,560 Speaker 3: you're involved in that legacy and you keep working towards 390 00:23:01,560 --> 00:23:04,399 Speaker 3: that legacy of like being great and winning. 391 00:23:04,480 --> 00:23:05,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's awesome. 392 00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:08,399 Speaker 1: It went a little bit differently to what the team 393 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:13,720 Speaker 1: had probably planned coming up against post nation post nation 394 00:23:13,880 --> 00:23:17,360 Speaker 1: Japan in that bronze medal match unfortunately went down to Japan. 395 00:23:17,480 --> 00:23:18,879 Speaker 1: What was the feeling like amongst the. 396 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:24,919 Speaker 3: Group, Yeah, it was heartbreaking. So there was this running 397 00:23:25,040 --> 00:23:28,959 Speaker 3: joke within Paralympics Australia that as soon as their stealers 398 00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:33,240 Speaker 3: would like set a date for a team camp, that 399 00:23:33,320 --> 00:23:36,679 Speaker 3: there'd be a border closure and every time that was 400 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:41,479 Speaker 3: so we like hadn't trained together as a full squad 401 00:23:41,520 --> 00:23:45,240 Speaker 3: for over eighteen months. We met together for the first 402 00:23:45,240 --> 00:23:48,439 Speaker 3: time like three days before our first game and like 403 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:53,800 Speaker 3: had a training session that's insane. So like, yeah, being 404 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:57,719 Speaker 3: like like being in a team, you can't not train together. 405 00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:01,800 Speaker 3: It's very hard. So we went into that comp very 406 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:08,320 Speaker 3: underprepared and it was messy and if anyone watched those games, 407 00:24:08,480 --> 00:24:11,879 Speaker 3: they could see that, and it wasn't our usual style 408 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:15,119 Speaker 3: of playing, but we hadn't had a chance to play together, 409 00:24:16,280 --> 00:24:20,600 Speaker 3: and like, under the circumstances, we did so well to 410 00:24:20,640 --> 00:24:23,879 Speaker 3: get to the Bronze Metal match because all of those 411 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:30,160 Speaker 3: teams there had been training together for ages. So yeah, 412 00:24:30,280 --> 00:24:33,920 Speaker 3: it was heartbreaking and I felt like at the end 413 00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:37,080 Speaker 3: of that game when there was like such raw emotion 414 00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:41,760 Speaker 3: like with and around the guys, oh, like my heart broke, 415 00:24:43,119 --> 00:24:45,080 Speaker 3: and not just for me but for them as well. 416 00:24:45,720 --> 00:24:50,159 Speaker 3: But yeah, you know, reset got back into it and 417 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:51,199 Speaker 3: turned things around. 418 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:53,800 Speaker 1: What does it look like for you guys, once you've 419 00:24:53,840 --> 00:24:57,080 Speaker 1: come home from Tokyo, what does a typical year in 420 00:24:57,160 --> 00:25:01,440 Speaker 1: training look like in terms of working full time training camps. 421 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:03,080 Speaker 2: Can you give us a brief view on that. 422 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:07,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, so I kind of wheelchair rugby would be my 423 00:25:08,119 --> 00:25:13,800 Speaker 3: full time role and I work around rugby. So we 424 00:25:13,880 --> 00:25:18,880 Speaker 3: train five days a week. Oh well, actually we train 425 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:22,760 Speaker 3: six days a week. We have so we have a 426 00:25:22,840 --> 00:25:27,239 Speaker 3: court session Monday, Wednesday and Friday normally goes for a 427 00:25:27,240 --> 00:25:31,800 Speaker 3: couple of hours including recovery, and that only fasts here 428 00:25:31,800 --> 00:25:35,320 Speaker 3: in Victoria, it's like eight thirty till eleven eleven thirty, 429 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:39,760 Speaker 3: and then Tuesdays and Thursdays and gym days, so I'm 430 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:44,640 Speaker 3: in at the vis I will often like I take 431 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:47,560 Speaker 3: my little backpack with my work clothes, get ready and changed, 432 00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:50,480 Speaker 3: and then I run off to the Melbourne Museum and 433 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:53,760 Speaker 3: work at the library in the Melbourne Museum there. So 434 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 3: Tuesdays and Thursdays are my main workday, and then Saturday 435 00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:03,199 Speaker 3: we have like an home session which is normally just 436 00:26:03,480 --> 00:26:09,840 Speaker 3: like yeah, just like a strength based or fitness based 437 00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:13,000 Speaker 3: kind of drill thing that we've got to do. And 438 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:16,760 Speaker 3: then I also like work sometimes on the weekends at 439 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:20,639 Speaker 3: a public Library as well, So that's like a normal 440 00:26:20,720 --> 00:26:25,000 Speaker 3: week and then competition wise, it's like we don't really 441 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:29,879 Speaker 3: have an off season. So normally we'll compete in like 442 00:26:30,040 --> 00:26:34,399 Speaker 3: three to four international competitions a year. There's normally like 443 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:37,679 Speaker 3: one kind of at the start of the year around 444 00:26:38,600 --> 00:26:43,040 Speaker 3: January February sort of time, and then we'll lead into 445 00:26:43,080 --> 00:26:48,600 Speaker 3: normally lack qualifying tournament or like some other sort of 446 00:26:48,680 --> 00:26:50,560 Speaker 3: like tournament depending on what year it is. We kind 447 00:26:50,600 --> 00:26:54,359 Speaker 3: of run in two year cycles. Yeah, so two to 448 00:26:54,440 --> 00:26:58,840 Speaker 3: three international competitions, then we have National League there's three 449 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:02,280 Speaker 3: rounds of that per year here in Australia, and then 450 00:27:02,320 --> 00:27:05,439 Speaker 3: we have National Champs So we're kind of constantly going 451 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:10,480 Speaker 3: all the time. Normally have like three to four weeks 452 00:27:10,480 --> 00:27:13,639 Speaker 3: off over Christmas and maybe like a week in the 453 00:27:13,640 --> 00:27:17,360 Speaker 3: middle of the year. Otherwise we pretty much train all 454 00:27:17,400 --> 00:27:22,879 Speaker 3: the way through. So yeah, it's full, full time gig 455 00:27:23,040 --> 00:27:24,080 Speaker 3: with not much rest. 456 00:27:24,160 --> 00:27:25,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, it sounds like all systems go. 457 00:27:25,960 --> 00:27:27,920 Speaker 1: I'm keen to get into that a little bit further, 458 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:29,879 Speaker 1: but I want to hear about your work in the libraries. 459 00:27:29,920 --> 00:27:32,960 Speaker 1: Is that a real passion for yours of yours? 460 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:37,720 Speaker 3: I should say, Oh, like I think I've always I've 461 00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:42,280 Speaker 3: always been a little like bookworm and I wanted to 462 00:27:42,359 --> 00:27:46,600 Speaker 3: work in libraries. But what my dream at high school 463 00:27:46,680 --> 00:27:49,199 Speaker 3: was to own my own bookstore. So I've kind of 464 00:27:49,240 --> 00:27:53,920 Speaker 3: done that, but the bookstore is not mine, and it's 465 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:55,399 Speaker 3: just a much bigger. 466 00:27:55,280 --> 00:27:56,000 Speaker 2: Very large. 467 00:27:56,280 --> 00:28:01,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's very large. So yeah, I kind of I 468 00:28:02,600 --> 00:28:08,600 Speaker 3: did a whole three sixty, I guess in my yeah, 469 00:28:08,840 --> 00:28:12,399 Speaker 3: career like space. I originally was working in marketing and 470 00:28:12,400 --> 00:28:16,199 Speaker 3: public relations and decided that I didn't want to do 471 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:20,200 Speaker 3: that and came back did my master's and information management 472 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:27,159 Speaker 3: and just fallen into library work. So recently, probably like 473 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:28,959 Speaker 3: a year and a half now, I've been working at 474 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:33,240 Speaker 3: the Melbourne Museum in the library and Archives team, and yeah, 475 00:28:33,320 --> 00:28:36,560 Speaker 3: it's like the best job I've ever had in my 476 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:40,080 Speaker 3: whole life. And it's amazing. Got this like beautiful, rare 477 00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:43,720 Speaker 3: book collection that I get to work with, and it's 478 00:28:43,760 --> 00:28:49,400 Speaker 3: an institution that's like dedicated to collecting, which like most libraries, 479 00:28:49,440 --> 00:28:53,040 Speaker 3: obviously they collect, but they also weed their collections as well. 480 00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:56,760 Speaker 3: So yeah, I don't know, I really love working in 481 00:28:57,080 --> 00:29:01,400 Speaker 3: and amongst history, and yeah, there's something new every day 482 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:04,040 Speaker 3: which is super exciting and it's the polar opposite to 483 00:29:04,120 --> 00:29:05,000 Speaker 3: wheelchair rugby. 484 00:29:05,080 --> 00:29:06,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's awesome, that's really cool. 485 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:09,680 Speaker 1: What are some of the biggest barriers you've faced as 486 00:29:09,680 --> 00:29:11,400 Speaker 1: an athlete competing in a Paris sport. 487 00:29:15,040 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 3: I guess, like I for me, like one of the 488 00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:24,440 Speaker 3: biggest barriers has been finding work that's like flexible and 489 00:29:24,480 --> 00:29:29,280 Speaker 3: supportive of like what I do, mainly just because I 490 00:29:29,320 --> 00:29:34,720 Speaker 3: think like sometimes people don't recognize that what we do 491 00:29:35,600 --> 00:29:39,440 Speaker 3: is like a real and continuous thing. Like I think 492 00:29:40,280 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 3: they think we compete once every four years and then 493 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:47,160 Speaker 3: go away again, but we train and play like all 494 00:29:47,240 --> 00:29:51,080 Speaker 3: the time. It's a constant. So yeah, I think a 495 00:29:51,160 --> 00:29:54,520 Speaker 3: lot of workplaces that I've been in kind of thought 496 00:29:54,520 --> 00:29:57,760 Speaker 3: it was like this fun hobby that I had and 497 00:29:57,840 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 3: not like a real job. That's one of the biggest barriers, 498 00:30:02,680 --> 00:30:04,960 Speaker 3: like finding that support from work so that I can 499 00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:09,160 Speaker 3: continue to pay my bills, which I think a lot 500 00:30:09,200 --> 00:30:15,600 Speaker 3: of athletes run into. But then I guess, like outside 501 00:30:15,640 --> 00:30:19,280 Speaker 3: of that, I'm super lucky, and they're like, because the 502 00:30:19,360 --> 00:30:23,640 Speaker 3: Stealers have been like so strong in the past that 503 00:30:23,760 --> 00:30:26,520 Speaker 3: like we have a lot of support and funding from 504 00:30:26,520 --> 00:30:31,120 Speaker 3: the AIS, but our equipment is so expensive, So like 505 00:30:31,400 --> 00:30:38,239 Speaker 3: an average rugby chair course beyond fifteen thousand dollars. So 506 00:30:38,280 --> 00:30:42,560 Speaker 3: I think I in the time I've been playing, I 507 00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:47,960 Speaker 3: had one donated to me by DSR here in Victoria 508 00:30:48,880 --> 00:30:51,640 Speaker 3: that like I could use up until like the point 509 00:30:51,640 --> 00:30:53,440 Speaker 3: that I didn't want it anymore, and that chairs gone 510 00:30:53,480 --> 00:30:57,280 Speaker 3: on to other developing athletes now as well. And since 511 00:30:57,320 --> 00:30:59,200 Speaker 3: playing for the Steelers, I've been in that team for 512 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:01,560 Speaker 3: five years and I've two different chairs and both of 513 00:31:01,600 --> 00:31:05,960 Speaker 3: those cost over seventeen thousand dollars. And then on top 514 00:31:06,000 --> 00:31:10,280 Speaker 3: of that, you've got like equipment, like we wear gloves 515 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:14,640 Speaker 3: and strapping tape and yeah, so I think equipment would 516 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:17,120 Speaker 3: be like the biggest barrier probably for some people trying 517 00:31:17,120 --> 00:31:22,000 Speaker 3: to get into like parasport, but again, like such a 518 00:31:22,000 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 3: cool community. When I first started, one of the guys 519 00:31:24,520 --> 00:31:26,680 Speaker 3: lent me one of his old chairs that was all 520 00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:29,560 Speaker 3: banged up, and you know, you got to learn in 521 00:31:29,600 --> 00:31:32,160 Speaker 3: that until you get to a spot where you can 522 00:31:32,200 --> 00:31:33,840 Speaker 3: afford and buy your own. 523 00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:38,120 Speaker 1: We often talk out a Female Athlete Project about small 524 00:31:38,200 --> 00:31:40,600 Speaker 1: things that people are audience and followers can do to 525 00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:43,200 Speaker 1: support women in sport. Do you think there are things 526 00:31:43,240 --> 00:31:45,720 Speaker 1: that people can do to support athletes with a disability, 527 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:48,000 Speaker 1: whether that's at the elite level or kind of at 528 00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:48,880 Speaker 1: the grassroots level. 529 00:31:48,920 --> 00:31:50,440 Speaker 2: Being able to get involved. 530 00:31:50,720 --> 00:31:55,920 Speaker 3: Yeah for sure. I think like just educating yourself around 531 00:31:56,200 --> 00:32:00,760 Speaker 3: like the different sports that exist, and follow us. Like 532 00:32:00,840 --> 00:32:04,840 Speaker 3: you see us play at the Paralympic Games, like once 533 00:32:04,880 --> 00:32:07,360 Speaker 3: every four years. We're still playing. Like get out there 534 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:11,480 Speaker 3: on social media and like find the team's Instagram or 535 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:15,400 Speaker 3: Facebook page, follow it. We have like national champs and 536 00:32:15,600 --> 00:32:19,280 Speaker 3: national leagues and local comps, like go out there and watch, 537 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:23,800 Speaker 3: Like these sports are fun and amazing. Even if I 538 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:26,560 Speaker 3: didn't play, I think I would watch wheelchair rugby all 539 00:32:26,600 --> 00:32:31,800 Speaker 3: the time because it's just such a great sport. But yeah, 540 00:32:31,840 --> 00:32:34,720 Speaker 3: if you can support us in any small way that 541 00:32:34,880 --> 00:32:36,080 Speaker 3: means the world to us. 542 00:32:36,040 --> 00:32:36,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's awesome. 543 00:32:36,960 --> 00:32:39,800 Speaker 1: We'll make sure we'll include that stuff when we get 544 00:32:39,800 --> 00:32:41,880 Speaker 1: the episode live as well. I'll put in the show 545 00:32:41,960 --> 00:32:44,120 Speaker 1: notes so people can follow along, and on our socials, 546 00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:46,160 Speaker 1: I make sure I tag those pages too for you 547 00:32:46,200 --> 00:32:47,960 Speaker 1: and your team, so that people can get involved, because 548 00:32:47,960 --> 00:32:49,920 Speaker 1: I think it's such a practical thing that people can do. 549 00:32:51,000 --> 00:32:53,959 Speaker 1: You've also got a roll. You're on the board as 550 00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:57,640 Speaker 1: an athlete representative for World Wheelchair Rugby and you're in 551 00:32:57,680 --> 00:33:00,440 Speaker 1: the process of trying to create that athlete council. Talk 552 00:33:00,480 --> 00:33:03,120 Speaker 1: to us about what wearing that hat looks like for you. 553 00:33:04,880 --> 00:33:11,080 Speaker 3: Oh, it's very new, it's a very new hat. I've never, 554 00:33:11,400 --> 00:33:15,160 Speaker 3: i guess, like had any interest or desire I guess 555 00:33:15,200 --> 00:33:19,000 Speaker 3: to be on a board. So it's been interesting being 556 00:33:19,080 --> 00:33:22,440 Speaker 3: thrown into the deep end and working out and having 557 00:33:22,480 --> 00:33:27,760 Speaker 3: an understanding of how our sport runs at a world level. 558 00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:33,200 Speaker 3: But yeah, it's been interesting. Obviously, like I took over 559 00:33:33,520 --> 00:33:41,120 Speaker 3: from another athlete YenS who play for Germany, and kind 560 00:33:41,120 --> 00:33:44,600 Speaker 3: of just decided to do a refresh. I've been really 561 00:33:44,680 --> 00:33:48,760 Speaker 3: really keen to try and get more women on the 562 00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:54,280 Speaker 3: athlete council, But at the moment, I'm trying my hardest 563 00:33:54,560 --> 00:33:59,240 Speaker 3: just to find athlete reps that are keen to just 564 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:01,840 Speaker 3: be on that lead counsel and be the voice for 565 00:34:02,200 --> 00:34:05,880 Speaker 3: US athletes at the World Wheelchair Rugby board level. So 566 00:34:06,840 --> 00:34:09,960 Speaker 3: it's been interesting, and it's been hard because it's a 567 00:34:10,040 --> 00:34:14,239 Speaker 3: Paralympic year, so everyone's super busy and including me, and 568 00:34:14,280 --> 00:34:20,120 Speaker 3: we have obviously our Yeah, we're set on other things 569 00:34:20,160 --> 00:34:23,680 Speaker 3: trying to make teams and qualify and stuff. So yeah, 570 00:34:23,719 --> 00:34:26,799 Speaker 3: it's an interesting role and I'm excited to see where 571 00:34:26,840 --> 00:34:27,880 Speaker 3: it goes in the future. 572 00:34:29,040 --> 00:34:33,239 Speaker 1: It's a Paralympic year. Paris twenty twenty four. How are 573 00:34:33,239 --> 00:34:36,000 Speaker 1: you feeling. How is the group feeling ahead of the Games? 574 00:34:36,680 --> 00:34:41,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think we're feeling pretty good. Obviously, So the 575 00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:47,160 Speaker 3: team hasn't been finalized yet. We've got National Champs this 576 00:34:47,239 --> 00:34:53,399 Speaker 3: weekend and then we're off to Canada in June, which 577 00:34:53,440 --> 00:34:57,120 Speaker 3: is our last international competition against the top six teams 578 00:34:57,160 --> 00:35:01,480 Speaker 3: that will be at the Games. So yeah, I think 579 00:35:01,520 --> 00:35:05,680 Speaker 3: the coaches are using those tournaments as like kind of 580 00:35:05,920 --> 00:35:14,600 Speaker 3: like selection, yeah processes. But yeah, we're feeling good. We've 581 00:35:14,600 --> 00:35:19,880 Speaker 3: been building since the last Paralympic Games. So in Tokyo 582 00:35:20,000 --> 00:35:22,360 Speaker 3: we obviously came away with the fourth and our world 583 00:35:22,400 --> 00:35:26,719 Speaker 3: ranking dropped, and since then we've just been intent on 584 00:35:27,040 --> 00:35:31,920 Speaker 3: like rebuilding the team. We've worked together to like create 585 00:35:31,960 --> 00:35:33,640 Speaker 3: what we want this team to be and what it 586 00:35:33,719 --> 00:35:38,600 Speaker 3: stands for, reset like our values and our pillars within 587 00:35:38,960 --> 00:35:43,040 Speaker 3: the Steelers and what we stand for. So yeah, it 588 00:35:43,080 --> 00:35:48,000 Speaker 3: went from like twenty one like coming forth to World 589 00:35:48,120 --> 00:35:53,279 Speaker 3: Champs in twenty twenty two winning and then last year 590 00:35:53,320 --> 00:35:57,600 Speaker 3: twenty twenty three, we won the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup 591 00:35:57,880 --> 00:36:01,600 Speaker 3: which runs at the same time as the Rugby Union 592 00:36:01,640 --> 00:36:07,320 Speaker 3: World Cup. So yeah, we've been building and I think 593 00:36:07,520 --> 00:36:11,919 Speaker 3: we're feeling pretty confident obviously, like every team is going 594 00:36:12,000 --> 00:36:15,480 Speaker 3: to be wanting to beat us, and I think that's fine. 595 00:36:15,960 --> 00:36:21,080 Speaker 3: We thrive off that. So feeling pretty confident no matter 596 00:36:21,160 --> 00:36:24,200 Speaker 3: who they select on the team, Like we're all super 597 00:36:24,200 --> 00:36:26,319 Speaker 3: strong athletes and we can all get over there and 598 00:36:26,360 --> 00:36:27,120 Speaker 3: get the job done. 599 00:36:27,160 --> 00:36:30,640 Speaker 1: So yeah, that's amazing. Thank you so much for your 600 00:36:30,680 --> 00:36:34,080 Speaker 1: time to share today, Shay. I've absolutely loved the chance 601 00:36:34,120 --> 00:36:35,880 Speaker 1: to chat to you, to hear more about your story 602 00:36:35,920 --> 00:36:39,200 Speaker 1: and what you're doing, and I cannot wait to support you. 603 00:36:39,360 --> 00:36:41,319 Speaker 1: I'm backing you to be on the plane to head 604 00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:43,960 Speaker 1: over to Paris, so cannot wait to continue supporting you. 605 00:36:44,360 --> 00:36:49,480 Speaker 2: Thanks, thanks so much, Thanks so much for listening. 606 00:36:49,800 --> 00:36:51,839 Speaker 1: If you got something out of this episode, I would 607 00:36:51,840 --> 00:36:53,960 Speaker 1: absolutely love it if you could send it on to 608 00:36:54,040 --> 00:36:57,960 Speaker 1: one person who you think might enjoy it. Otherwise, subscribe, 609 00:36:58,160 --> 00:37:00,160 Speaker 1: give us a review, and make sure you follow us 610 00:37:00,200 --> 00:37:03,000 Speaker 1: on Instagram at the Female Athlete Project to stay up 611 00:37:03,000 --> 00:37:06,200 Speaker 1: to date with podcast episodes, merch drops, and of course 612 00:37:06,640 --> 00:37:09,320 Speaker 1: news and stories about epic female athletes.