We are chatting with James McQuillan one of the Australian Steelers – the Aussie wheelchair rugby team. Not just that but an Australian Steeler who has had an incredible journey from recreational sportsman to national representative in just over 11 months. In this episode James shares his story, the injury that led him to having a SCI, how he came to be part of the Steelers, and all about Wheelchair Rugby as a sport. He also tells us about being an elite sportsman, his SCI rehab journey, nerve & tendon transfer surgeries to get more function in his upper limbs and some tips for working with people with SCI. Enjoy!

2.00 Intro

2.34 sec Bio

6.44 Wheelchair Rugby

11.48 Classification

13.05 Getting into para sport

17.53 Equipment required

17.54 Fitness for elite wheelchair rugby & SCI

21.46 Role in Aussie Steelers

25.55 Nerve transfer & Tendon transfer surgeries

30.31 Rehab – knowledge, motivation, prioritising

36.12 What rehab clinicians did well

45.12 Reflection

Resources

Forged In Steel - Australian Steelers documentary

Paralympics media release

SCI PT guidelines sciptguide.com

Paralympics websites
https://www.9now.com.au/paralympic-games-paris-2024
https://www.paralympic.org.au/
https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/paralympic-games

Austin Health Nerve & tendon transfer team

Links

Instagram @jamesmcquillan5

James' LinkedIn

ANZ Smashing through barriers

Paris 2024 Profile

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