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At just 15 years old in 2004, Ryley Batt made history when he became the youngest-ever wheelchair-rugby player in the world to compete at the Paralympic Games.
This year’s Paris Games will be his sixth, where he will be looking to add to his medal haul of two Paralympic golds and one silver — not to forget his two gold and two silver World Championship medals.
Over two decades, this Steeler stalwart has been “steeling” hearts all over Australia, not only with his sporting prowess, but also with his endearing sense of positivity that has made him a role model for both his teammates and aspiring sports stars.
Watching Ryley manoeuvre his wheelchair around the court with such skill, it’s hard to believe he avoided wheelchairs altogether for the first 12 years of his life…
What inspired you to pursue a career as a Paralympian?
In my childhood years, I thought I was an able-bodied boy. I would jump on motorbikes; I would waterski with my friends; I used a skateboard to get around.
[Then one day when I was 12], I went for a swim down the beach, came back up and someone had stolen my skateboard. It was at that time where I said to myself, ‘Either you spend $500 on a skateboard setup or you give this wheelchair a go.'”
The next week, at the sport electives, I jumped in the wheelchair, played some wheelchair rugby and had the absolute time of my life.
I just loved it: the physicality, the hard hitting, the speed of the sport. It just attracted me. I love adrenaline and this sport was the right fit for me. I knew [then] that I wanted to be a Paralympian; I wanted to represent Australia playing wheelchair rugby one day.
How important has your support system been in your athletic career?
I think Team Everyone is absolutely crucial. If I didn’t have my community growing up, I definitely wouldn’t have the career I have today.
To be an Australian Steeler is hard work; it’s a lot of dedication and a lot of sacrifice, but it’s all worth it when you throw on that green-and-gold jersey.
I’ve been very lucky to have a company like Toyota helping to build [the wheelchair I use to compete]. The wheelchair-rugby chairs that we play in are all custom-made; they’re not one-size-fits-all. Toyota has designed this seat for me to be one with my wheelchair. I’m really excited to run the chair in the Paris Paralympic Games, and I’m hoping it brings my game to the next level.
What have been some of your career highlights up until this point, and what are you most looking forward to in the future?
In 2012, we won the Paralympic gold medal. Just having that gold medal hung around your neck… and just the weight of it and the national anthem playing… it’s something that gives you goosebumps, and it’s just something that I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
I’ve accomplished every goal in life that I’ve set out: I’ve won Paralympic gold medals, I’ve won World Championships, but for me now, it’s all about growing the future.
I want to help the new kids who are coming through see what it’s like to succeed; to see what it’s like to put in the hard work. And there are so many positives to life; you just can’t focus on the negatives. That’s something that I want to ingrain in young kids coming through — whether they have a disability or not.
What are you excited for at Paris 2024?
Paris is going to be exciting. It’s nerve-wracking, though. It’s my sixth Paralympic Games.
When you try on the green-and-gold jersey, you do get nervous; you feel the pressure. But I think pressure is good, because if there aren’t nerves, if there wasn’t pressure, it’s because you don’t care about the result.
The best will be to win that gold medal in Paris. I’m ready to play in Paris, and it’s going to be an absolute cracking Paralympic Games.
Watch Ryley and the Steelers compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games, between August 28 and September 8.
