We spoke to Jack Elliott, a player for the Wheelchair Magpies living with cerebral palsy for International Day of People with Disability.
Elliott has always loved footy growing up but held himself back from getting involved. As someone living with cerebral palsy, he spent nearly his entire life using crutches to get around.
Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition where signals from the brain to muscles are disrupted, affecting a person’s movement, muscle tone and coordination.
At just six years old he underwent dorsal rhizotomy surgery, a procedure to permanently reduce muscle tightness. Ahead and after the 13-hour operation, he met Collingwood great, Nathan Buckley. Since then, the Pies have remained a constant comfort in his life.
In 2023, Jack’s dream came true when he joined Collingwood’s Wheelchair team in the Victorian Wheelchair League, an inclusive competition designed to allow those living with a disability to play in a competitive andadaptive version of AFL football.
Elliott spoke to us about living in his condition and how Collingwood has supported his dream in playing footy.
What were some of the challenges you were facing before you signed up to the Wheelchair team?
Before joining the program, I really struggled with feeling accepted and belonging in any form of social setting. I always wanted to play footy and the feeling of not being able to do that was something I really struggled with.
Has being in the team helped make a positive difference for you day-to-day?
Being part of the team has helped in my day-to-day life to be more accepting of my own disability. It’s made me realise that I can do lots of things that I once thought were impossible. Being a part of this team has given me so much confidence to be myself and have more empathy and awareness of others.
What has been the biggest change that you’ve noticed in yourself since you joined the Pies?
The biggest change that I've noticed in myself is my ability to lead and help make others better. During my journey I've tried to improve my own football skills and in doing so I have been able help some of the people coming into our program to gain those skills and improve them as well.
This year, you were awarded the Player’s Player award as voted by your peers. What did that mean to you?
This award was an incredible surprise and something that I will cherish forever. To win such an honourable award at the club that I've supported my whole life means everything to me.
What has been the most memorable experience in your time at the Pies and why is it important to you?
I think it's hard to choose between the 2023 AFL Men’s Grand final and the 2024 VWFL Community Wheelchair Grand Final. Both are incredibly important to me.
The 2024 VWFL Community Wheelchair Grand Final was my first time winning something as part of a team - it was so incredibly special to me and has created friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
I also got to take my mum to the 2023 AFL Grand Final. She is also a lifelong Pies supporter so that’s a memory that we will both hold onto forever.
How do you think your life would be if you hadn’t joined the Wheelchair team?
Prior to joining the team, I lacked a sense of direction and really struggled with anxiety. But I wore a Collingwood guernsey to school so I could feel like I belonged to something.
If I hadn’t joined at the time, my life would look incredibly different. I would still be supporting our boys and girls on the weekends, but I feel I would still lack that direction and drive to achieve my goals.
What would you say to someone who was tossing up whether they’d like to join or support the Collingwood Wheelchair team?
To anyone considering joining our program I would say absolutely go for it. We have a great group of people who are very supportive, and it will become like a second family to you very quickly.
I was sceptical at first, but now I look back on my decision and joining the team was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
