James Hill made his WRL debut for the Ipswich Swifts club in 2017 and is still playing for his team. This year he is also looking forward to representing Australia in the World Cup.

Carlton-born James first became intrigued with wheelchair sports as a teenager, joining a Wheelchair Basketball team as a non-disabled player and “playing in all the tournaments that would allow me”, he says. It was at a Come & Try Event on the coast of Queensland that he was introduced to WRL. “Sure enough, I had an absolute blast,” recalls James.

James is a big fan of inclusive sports in general, including Wheelchair Basketball. He also loves the beach and the outdoors and watching NCIS. The NRL player he most admires is the Storm’s Ryan Papenhuyzen.

With Wheelchair Rugby League he has been able to pursue a development pathway, starting with the interstate challenge. “I played in the initial State of Origin clash before being selected to play in the Australian side against England in the Ashes tour in 2019,” says James.

In 2022 his big focus will be playing WRL at the World Cup in the UK. For James, the highlight will be “representing Australia and inclusive sports at the highest level possible, on the world stage”.