QAS supported athletes with the Australian Wheelchair Rugby team win in Paris.
Congratulations to the Australian Steelers, including QAS supported athletes - Chris Bond (captain), Ryley Batt, Brayden Foxley-Conolly, Ella Sabljak, Beau Vernon, and Michael Ozanne, have emerged as the champions of the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup in Paris. The Aussies held a slim one-point lead over Canada at halftime, ultimately securing the victory with a final score of 53-48.
"We are incredibly proud of the Aussie Steelers for their outstanding achievement," said Chelsea Warr, QAS Chief Executive. "Their dedication, skill, and determination were evident throughout the tournament, and this victory is a testament to their hard work and teamwork."
This tournament has been a memorable journey for the Australians. Despite a narrow 49-48 defeat to Canada in their opening pool match, they demonstrated resilience by bouncing back with impressive victories over reigning Paralympic champions Great Britain and world championship semi-finalists Denmark in the pool round. Their remarkable progress continued as they secured a gutsy 52-48 win over Asia Oceania champions Japan in the semi-final, breaking a four-year losing streak against their arch-rivals in the process.
The final marked the culmination of an arduous campaign for the Steelers. Prior to the tournament, they embarked on an intense five-day pre-tournament training camp in Melbourne, their second training camp in a month, before departing for Europe. This rigorous preparation undoubtedly contributed to their success on the international stage.
Looking ahead, the Australian Steelers' next major assignment is the Paris 2024 qualification tournament in New Zealand, scheduled to take place from 18 to 22 March. The team is determined to continue their winning streak and secure their spot in the highly anticipated Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024.
Last updated: 24 Oct 2023