Faulconbridge athlete Chris Pyne is hoping the public will step up to help the Pararoos’ fundraising drive.
The Pararoos are Australia’s national team for players with cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders, including stroke and traumatic brain injury. They need $160,000 by June 30 to help fund their trip to a tournament next month.
The tournament, in Denmark, will give them a chance to qualify for the 2017 World Championships.
The Pararoos lost their funding from the Australian Sports Commission in 2014 under the “Winning Edge” policy where Olympic and Paralympic teams are allocated funding based on their likely medal prospects. While the Pararoos were ranked 11 in the world, this was insufficient to secure ongoing funding.
Next month’s tournament will see them compete with 15 other nations for the remaining eight spots in the world championships.
Pyne, now 32, has played with the Pararoos for their entire existence. He started in 1999 at the tender age of 15 when they competed in their first ever tournament, the Southern Cross Games. He is the most capped player in the Australian squad and one of three original players still competing at the highest level.
He competed at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics but has never played in a world championship or World Cup, although in 2007 the squad came “agonisingly close” to qualifying, he said, on a tour where he was vice captain.
Pyne, who acquired a brain injury after a fall off a cliff, said he loved being a Pararoo.
“Not only do I love football, but my teammates and what the team means to everyone who it touches makes it so special to me,” he said.
My teammates and what the team means to everyone who it touches makes it so special to me.
- Pararoo Chris Pyne
“During my time with this squad I have had the great pleasure of developing young players and being a leader on and off the field.”
Football Federation Australia, in partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation, are backing the fundraising drive. FFA CEO, David Gallop, said the idea was to tap into the growing philanthropy sector to attract funds quickly.
“The Pararoos are an inspiring group and wonderful ambassadors for football,” he said. “I commend the Sports Foundation for their commitment to the Pararoos.”
To donate, see www.gopararoos.com.au.
