Matt Hannan will compete in the 2022 Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championship next week, as a member of the NSW/ACT side.
Matt Hannan will get his chance to live out a long held goal of playing wheelchair football next week.
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Restricted from trying out previous years because of the tyranny of distance, Hannan was elated when he discovered try outs were being held in Albury this year.
On the back of his performance at those try outs a few weeks back, Hannan will gear up as a member of the NSW/ACT team in Melbourne.
The 2022 Toyota Wheelchair AFL National Championship will be held from November 21 to 25 at the state-of-the-art Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre in Greensborough.
It is the first major national wheelchair AFL event since 2019.
“I’ve been interested (in wheelchair AFL) for a long time and always kept an eye on it, but given it is capital city based it was always tough to find the time to get involved.
“When the try out popped up in Albury, I thought it was my time to give it a crack.
“And I really enjoyed it.
“Hopefully out of this competition there will be more state based competitions, like they already have in Victoria.
“Victoria’s wheelchair AFL is affiliated with the VFL, so next week we may be playing against people who are part of Collingwood, Essendon or other teams.
“Apparently wheelchair AFL is one of the fastest growing sports, and hopefully the hunger grows enough for a state comp to start.
“You don’t have to be a para or quadriplegic to take part either. Anyone with a disability can be involved.”
Matt Hannan has been practicing his ball skills ahead of next week's tournament.
Eleven sides representing all states of Australia will compete at next week’s tournament.
Initially each side will play a fast-format round robin of two five minute halves, which will determine the division each side will play in.
In the tournament proper, games will be in two 10 minute halves.
“In wheelchair footy a handball is classed as a kick, and if it travels 2m or more it is considered a mark,” Hannan said.
“An underarm throw is considered to be a handball.
“You are allowed three pushes (of the wheelchair) before you have to bounce or pass. A bounce is considered if you touch the ball to the ground with your hands, or to the bottom of your wheels.
“While it is a non-contact sport with no tackling, there is always bound to be some contact as there is a ball up in the ruck and it is very competitive.
“In my limited experience so far the ball moves quickly from one end to the other.
“If you are tagged on the shoulder you must dispose of the ball immediately. If you hold onto it, the ball passes to the other team.”
Wheelchair AFL is played on a hard surface, usually netball or basketball courts.
While Hannan is always working on his fitness at the Finley Community Gym, he admits he’s had to step up his training to be match fit for next week.
“I do go to the gym as much as I can, but Sarah Gray has been helping me over the last six weeks to be in as good a condition as I can be for a 48 year-old,” he laughed.
“I’ve also been tossing the ball around to get my hands used to it.”
Hannan, who has been in a wheelchair since the age of 21, is not new to competitive sport.
He’s competed in wheelchair bowls before, but this is the first time he’s had a go at what are traditionally contact sports.
“Footy has always been a love of mine and I am really looking forward to getting out there next week.
“I have been in a chair now longer than I could walk, but I do have memories of playing footy when I was younger.
“I have also coached at a local level.”
The championships are presented by Disability Sports Australian in partnership with the AFL.
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