Students at a Werribee high school had one of the world’s finest wheelchair rugby players stop by class recently.
Shae Graham visited Wyndham Central College on April 26 as part of the Victorian Institute of Sport’s Be Fit. Be Well program.
The first woman to represent Australia in wheelchair rugby where teams can be mixed, Graham was a member of the ‘Steelers’ who defeated Canada in the final of the Wheelchair Rugby World Cup last year.
Graham was 18 years old when she suffered life changing injuries, including a fractured spine, in a car accident. Not a decade later she was selected to play for Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and is on track to win selection for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Year 7 students and house captains were invited to hear Graham speak, with her personal journey, the importance of sport in building resilience and an overview of wheelchair rugby, among the topics covered.
The VIS Be Fit. Be Well program has been running for almost 30 years and encourages primary and secondary school students to stay active and lead a healthy lifestyle.
“The program helps to promote physical activity and its links to wellbeing and features interactive and inspirational presentations with elite athletes from the Victorian Institute of Sport,” explained VIS Community Engagement Coordinator, Amy McMahon.
“Key topics are tailored for specific school year levels and include motivation, resilience, goal setting, coping with pressure, health and nutrition.”
The Be Fit. Be Well program is free for government schools, with funding from School Sport Victoria (SSV). Non-government schools can also participate for a fee.
To register interest in the Be Fit. Be Well program, please call: (03) 9425 0000 or email reception@vis.org.au. For more information visit: www.vis.org.au
