Cory Cannane grew up in Sydney playing NRL, following St George Illawarra Dragons and looking up to players like Benji Marshall. He also had another role model to follow, his father Craig who began playing Wheelchair RL in 2011. Three years later Cory came on board.

“I joined Wheelchair Rugby League because I played non-disabled Rugby League and had the opportunity to compete alongside my dad playing Wheelchair Rugby League,” says Cory.

As a genuinely inclusive sport, Wheelchair RL is open to players of different ages, genders and abilities joining the same team. Designated non-disabled positions are open to players like Craig, meaning he can play alongside his father and others who have a disability.

Cory was no stranger to wheelchairs, and Craig recalls that his son as a kid would sometimes pinch his wheelchair while he napped, and take off down the street.

Both Cory and Craig play for the St George Illawarra Dragons Wheelchair RL team and have made the NSW representative side.

Apart from training and playing, Cory keeps himself busy with social basketball, gym, friends and family. His favourite TV show is animated sci-fi sitcom Rick and Morty.

In 2022 Cory plans to make sporting history as part of Australia’s first father and son combo playing a Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup together as teammates. He’ll also achieve a personal goal, of “competing alongside my father against international teams”.