Jamie’s wheelchair basketball journey affords him the opportunity to play at an international level

Mt Nathan’s Jamie Stewart has been offered an amazing opportunity to play elite sport in Germany for nine months.

He’s got the skills, enthusiasm and talent – now the only thing he needs is the financial support to fulfill his dream.

The 29-year-old is part of the Queensland Spinning Bullets wheelchair basketball team and for the past two years has been training with the Australian Men’s Development Squad at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

He was also part of the committee that founded the local Gold Coast wheelchair basketball team – Rollerblaze – in 2008.

“Wheelchair basketball has been a huge part of my life for the past five years,” Jamie, a member of the Spinal Injuries Association, said.

“After I sustained high-level paraplegia in a car accident in 2001, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to play sport again.

“When I discovered wheelchair basketball I quickly began to enjoy the competitiveness and social aspect of the game.”

When Jamie received the offer from Germany’s Immovesta Trier Dolphins in late April to play in the Division 1 league from September for the 2011-12 season, he was ecstatic.

However, when he realised he would need $6,750 to cover his accommodation and food expenses, the reality of how he would achieve that hit home.

“It’s quite a lot of money and even though I work full time, it’s too much for me to be able to save between now and September. I’d really appreciate the opportunity to further my skills overseas in wheelchair basketball, which is growing increasingly popular,” Jamie said.

“If there were companies, organisations or people out there in the community who would like to help me achieve my dream, I would give them due recognition by placing their logo on the back of my basketball wheelchair, as well as other promotional opportunities.”

Jamie said if he was to make it to Germany, he would train every week day and play on a team that is privy to the best players and coaches in the world, against 10 other teams in the European league.

“After I returned I would have first-class coaching and international playing experience that I would share with local athletes,” he said.

“This really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’d be honoured to compete at such an elite level.”

Spinal Injuries Association CEO Mark Henley said members such as Jamie demonstrated that having a spinal cord injury did not mean an end to playing competitive sport.

“While there’s no question that having a spinal cord injury is devastating, our members throughout Queensland are re-evaluating what they can still do following their injury, or working out another way of doing what they enjoy,” Mark said.

“We’re inspired each day by our members and clients who are living their lives to the fullest, just differently than they used to. They have husbands and wives and families. They have exciting jobs and careers, play sports, travel overseas and contribute to their local communities in all sorts of ways.”

If you would like to contribute to Jamie’s European wheelchair basketball dream, please phone him on 0412 521 692.

Issued 23 June.