Seven UniSC Spartans have boarded the plane to Paris, determined to impress in the 2024 Paralympics.
Swimmers Brenden Hall, Emily Beecroft, Lakeisha Patterson, Ricky Betar and Jenna Jones, join coaches, Harley Connolly and Casey Atkins as part of Australia’s Paralympic contingent in France.
This is the fifth Paralympics for Brenden Hall, who made his debut at Beijing in 2008. But this one holds special significance for the veteran swimmer – he is one of Australia’s flagbearers for the opening ceremony.
“I think it’ll probably hit me when I’m over there and that moment comes. But it’s business as usual until then,” Hall said.
“A lot has changed since 2008. I'm older and the body’s more sore. But I'm still excited and just as pumped as I was the first time around. Smarter and wiser as well.
“I'm going to use all those qualities and little bits that I've learned over the years and put them to good use.”
Hall isn’t the only one looking to add to his impressive medal tally.
Lakeisha ‘Lucky’ Patterson will enter the pool in Paris as the reigning 400m freestyle s9 champion at both Tokyo in 2021 and Rio in 2016.
But even with three gold medals to her name, she is as hungry as ever to prove she is one of the best in the world, and build on the success of her Olympic Dolphins teammates.
“The nerves and emotions are definitely there. It doesn't necessarily get easier, but I think with that experience comes the knowledge of how to handle it. If you're not nervous, it probably means you don't care enough,” Patterson said.
“I’m super excited to get over there, and I can’t wait to see what our team can do in Paris after watching the Aussies absolutely smash it in the Olympics.”
Emily Beecroft and Ricky Betar are hoping to get their first taste of Paralympic gold, after both swimming their way on to the podium at the games in Tokyo.
Beecroft said she was heading to Paris as confident as she had ever felt, after posting strong times in the pool in this year.
“I think these games are going to be really different for me. I made a big change after Tokyo and moved up to the Sunshine Coast and I've seen massive improvements,” Beecroft said.
“I feel like I have a really good chance to get on the podium this year.”
For Jenna Jones, making it to Paris has been an achievement in its own right. After making the team for Rio in 2016, she missed selection for Tokyo and had to fight through injuries to find her way into the squad.
“This is like my redemption year,” Jones said.
“I just want to put my foot out on the world stage and show them that I'm here and I am ready to compete.
“I had major elbow surgery at the end of last year, which I've still been battling with all year, but I’ve just got to put that aside, go out there and give it everything."
They are not the only familiar faces heading to the Paralympics.
Four members of Australia’s wheelchair rugby team, the Steelers, are based out of the University of the Sunshine Coast, where they have been putting the final touches on their preparations for Paris.
Captain Chris Bond said for a long time it was just him “cutting up the courts” at UniSC .
“But we’ve had some really great athletes make the move here and now call it home,” he said.
“It’s the strongest (wheelchair rugby) training hub in the country, and to think a third of our national squad are from the Sunshine Coast is pretty impressive.”
Beau Vernon training at UniSC Arena ahead of the Paralympics in Paris.
The four UniSC-based members of the Steelers squad, hitting the court for the final time before Paris.
Emilie Miller and Beau Vernon will be making their Paralympic debut at the Paris Games.
Six-time Paralympian Ryley Batt said the Steelers ‘have a target on their back’ heading into Paris.
Captain Chris Bond believes the Sunshine Coast is the strongest wheelchair rugby training hub in the country.
Bond will be joined by veteran teammate Ryley Batt – who is heading into his sixth Games – and Paralympic debutants Beau Vernon and Emilie Miller, as the Sunshine Coast contingent on the Steelers squad.
The Aussies are reigning Wheelchair Rugby World Cup champions and are looking to carry that form into the Paralympics, and put a disappointing fourth-place in Tokyo behind them.
“As the World Champions, we've got a target on our back. I know the other teams are chasing us, but personally I love that,” Batt said.
“It's going to be a pressure cooker. I can guarantee you that there's going to be a lot of tight games. There's going to be one point nail-biters. I'm just hoping our experience gets us over that line.”
Media enquiries: Please contact the Media Team media@usc.edu.au