Chasing Passion and Breaking Barriers: Dan Friedrich’s Wheelchair Rugby League Story
Wheelchair Rugby League (WRL) offers a new and inclusive approach to the sport of Rugby League, bringing together players of all genders, abilities and backgrounds. “If you like Rugby League, then this is the best of the best! It’s like Rugby League, but it’s inclusive – mixed gender, mixed disability and able-bodied. You can play Wheelchair Rugby League with your family and friends and play the sport you love, and enjoy it,” says Dan Friedrich.
At the age of 14, Dan is now a seasoned WRL player with hopes of soon mentoring a new round of juniors, introducing them to the game he loves.
Exploring a new, inclusive form of Rugby League
Dan had been a huge NRL fan in primary school but thought he would never get to play, unlike his brothers, until he heard about Wheelchair Rugby League and the code’s amazing opportunities.
His mother Jodie recalls, “He sat there while his older brothers, who don’t have a disability, played Rugby League, cheering them on from the sidelines for so long, but Dan always had that passion to play himself.”
When Jodie told Dan, who was then in Year 3 at Oyster Bay Public School, that he could participate in a Wheelchair Rugby League session held at Menai Indoor Sports Centre, he wanted to try it out.
Dan was initially a bit daunted by the prospect of training with the older players. But they gradually built up his skills, with Wheelaroos coach Brett Clark organising practice sessions for Dan and some mates to learn catching and passing a ball and how you tag, wheel the chair and pass. Dan trained and practised, also putting in the hard yards at home.
The sport that brings families together
A real plus for Dan’s family was the inclusivity of Wheelchair Rugby League, which allows two players without a disability on the court per game. From a mother’s perspective, it was meaningful that the sport enabled Dan to play a form of Rugby League alongside his brothers – “which he never thought he’d be able to,” says Jodie.
Jodie adds, “They would sit here the night before and do game plans. It would bring them together as brothers as well, working together. After playing, there was a rundown of the game. It’s just beautiful. I never thought I would ever be able to see them playing in a team together. The fact that they can do that is really special for us as a family and everyone involved.”
Mentors and growing with the game
From primary school through to high school, Dan worked with mentor Liam Luff, a player who has represented Australia, to improve his WRL skills and his knowledge of play-making. Liam is his current team coach and takes time out every week to work on Dan’s skills development. “Definitely, Liam is a Wheelaroo I’ve looked up to – and a good coach,” says Dan.
Within seven years, Dan had played in the Knights’ team, contesting the 2021 Grand Final for the NSW WRL Plate. Many of those older players who first trained Dan had toured England and placed 3rd in the World Cup, held in 2022.
In Australia, the sport itself has grown each year, with new Wheelchair Rugby League competitions being set up and player numbers increasing. Dan comments, “It has grown tremendously from the first time I was there. I’ve seen the individual players grow into better players, and from only a handful of teams, we now have four teams in each division of the comp.”
Acquiring strength, grit and confidence
Winning the ‘Spirit of the Game’ trophy at the 2021 Grand Final clash between the Knights and the Sea Eagles was a career highlight for Dan. Jodie says, “Just before that game, he had pins taken out of his legs for major surgery. It was iffy whether he would play so soon after the surgery, but Dan scored a try in that Grand Final, falling out of his chair doing it. I think all the pain disappeared!”
The latest career highlight for Sutherland Shire resident Dan was when he switched to the Cronulla Sharks WRL team. “Receiving the Cronulla Sharks jersey at the beginning of the year meant so much. It’s everything I dreamt of to play and wear a Sharks’ jersey. To wear and play in it was amazing,” says Dan. His wheelchair has been “all sharked up” to celebrate his team. Dan now plays in a different team than his brothers, which has increased his sense of independence. He comments, “Being by myself and being able to play with the confidence I’ve played with is another big achievement.”
Jodie says, “I’m so glad I found the sport for Dan because I’m so proud of where he’s come from. He gives it everything every week. This is the one thing I have no issues in getting him to go to, or to train for. He loves it.”
An active WRL community supporting families with disability
Jodie is very active with WRL herself as a volunteer. She manages the Manly team, represents parents on the WRL competitions committee and fundraises. Jodie has found the WRL community to be very supportive. “It’s really lovely. It’s just a great little community for them all. Dan and his brothers have formed a good friendship base there.”
In the WRL juniors, many groups of siblings play together, as well as cousins and friends. Jodie and the other parents love how the inclusivity of WRL brings family members with different abilities together on the same team. “None of us thought we’d be able to go and watch our kids play sport, and all be able to play together,” says Jodie. “It’s really special.”
Dan’s brother Thomas, who is 17, adds, “Wheelchair Rugby League has allowed me to play with my brothers but also meet some really great friends and have fun playing a game I love.” Eldest brother Jacob, aged 20, confirms the benefits of being an able-bodied WRL player. “Wheelchair Rugby League has helped me to build confidence in myself, but most importantly I love the fact that I am able to play a sport with all my brothers, which is something I thought I’d never be able to do,” says Jacob.
Pathways
In the future, Dan could take some great pathways with Wheelchair Rugby League, including playing overseas, refereeing and coaching.
As well as his mentor Liam Luff, Dan’s other role models include Australia’s Bayley McKenna and England’s Jack Brown. Watching the 2022 Rugby League World Cup games, Dan realised how far he could go with the sport. “This is my dream, and this is what I want to do,” he says.
Taking Wheelchair Rugby League to schools
Taking the sport to new audiences and helping raise awareness of disability sports is the current mission for Dan. His older brother spoke with their school, The Jannali High School, where they were keen to learn more about Wheelchair Rugby League. NRL Wheelchair got involved, and the school organised an activation day.
Dan says, “I think a lot of the kids at school were surprised because they can play even without a disability. A lot of them were surprised at how difficult it was to move around and be able to catch a ball – and to wheel with the ball in your lap and pass in the same motion.”
Jodie agrees, “The school has been good with trying to encourage more wheelchair sports and make a big thing of it. The kids all love it. They are asking, ‘When can they come back again?’ Everybody was so excited about it and had a great time with it.
“School activations are a real eye-opener because I think many people think WRL is a wheelchair sport, and that’s it – that if you don’t have a disability, you can’t play it. It is so important to advertise that it is ‘all abilities’. The best way to do that is to get it into schools and let people have a go. Getting into the wheelchair and seeing how to play, you have a whole new respect for these players and the brilliance of their game.”
Consider exploring more about Wheelchair Rugby League by heading to nrlwheelchair.com.au. If you would like to speak to our team about a School activation, email info@wrlaustralia.com.au.
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