Path to Paris

Aside from this more advocative aspect, I am also a fierce competitor who enjoys winning and challenging myself at the highest levels of my sport. My bronze medal victory in Tokyo has made me hungrier than ever to go one (well, two actually) better at the next Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024 and win Australia's first ever gold medal in boccia. Not only would it be a childhood dream come true, but the effect it could have on my community of people with disabilities would be immense. Since Tokyo, I have heard from many young kids with disabilities from all over the country who have been inspired to take up boccia. Just imagine what a gold medal could do!

Unfortunately a bronze medal isn't enough to warrant an increase in the funding our program receives. In fact, for the next cycle through to Paris I am anticipating being more out-of-pocket than ever before. The cost for me to attend critical qualifying events over the next 2 years is expected to be up to $10,000 per event. Considering I need to travel to 3-4 events each year, it's not hard to see the barrier this presents. Worst of all, this is not the only financial barrier in my way. I also have to pay to hire venues to train in, sometimes up to $22 per hour. I'm not a professional athlete and due to the amount I train it is very difficult for me to generate significant income, which just compounds these issues

I'm calling on the incredible Australian public to get behind me just like they did when I was on the courts in Tokyo. The love and support I felt was truly amazing and it makes me even more proud to be representing the best country in the world. Any donation, big or small, will go a long way towards helping me continue playing the sport I love.