Jason Lees has his sights set on gold again as he prepares to head to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Paralympic Games.
The Hoppers Crossing resident will be a member of the Australian wheelchair rugby squad at the Games, which run from September 7-19.
Lees was paralysed from just below the neck and confined to a wheelchair after a motorbike accident at Laverton in 2000. He has regained some movement in his upper body.
He was part of the team that won gold at the 2012 Paralympics in London.
Before his accident, he had never played rugby – he was more of a motocross fan – but he says the sport helped him to come to terms with his new life.
“I first saw wheelchair rugby while in rehab in the spinal ward. It seemed like a really full-on, intense game, really fast-paced. It just appealed to me.
“I was going through a hard time adapting to this huge change in my life, and getting involved in sport and wheelchair rugby got me through.”
Lees began playing socially and in 2009 made his debuts for the Queensland state team and the Australian team.
Recalling the London Games, he says: “It was a huge experience, playing in front of really big crowds. I hope we can win gold again this year.”
The Australian team returned from Canada last week after winning the gold medal in the Canada Cup international wheelchair rugby tournament. That, he says, is an indication of the team’s ability to win in Rio.
