The 'stigma' of being a non-disabled player in elite wheelchair sport
Leading out Australia at this month's Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup will be a dream come true for Bayley McKenna. But as the Wheelaroos' first non-disabled skipper, he is bracing for negativity from outside the sport.
Bayley McKenna, a young and charismatic wheelchair rugby player, is making waves in elite wheelchair sport as a non-disabled athlete. The Wheelaroos captain, who leads the team into the upcoming World Cup in Wollongong, has faced online abuse and skepticism from critics who question his place in the sport. McKenna, however, understands the importance of inclusion in wheelchair sport and the role that non-disabled players play in its growth.
Both he and his father, Darren McKenna, have benefited from the inclusion policy, which allows up to two non-disabled players on international teams. McKenna's journey into wheelchair rugby began when his father became a wheelchair user following a life-altering accident, and the father-son duo found a shared passion in the sport.
The inclusion policy has been crucial to the sport's development, fostering a sense of unity that extends from grassroots to elite competition. Despite the challenges, McKenna remains committed to representing his country and finds comfort in the support of his teammates and the understanding that his inclusion in the sport is a natural progression from his early experiences.
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