Fredericton’s Austin MacLellan has marked a significant milestone this week by becoming the first athlete from New Brunswick to represent Canada at the global wheelchair rugby championships. MacLellan’s journey to the world stage began when he was introduced to the sport after being approached due to a shortage of players on the local wheelchair rugby team while he was playing wheelchair basketball in 2021.
Despite initially having no experience in the sport, MacLellan quickly rose through the ranks in the full-contact game over the course of five years. Wheelchair rugby, often likened to high-speed bumper cars and known as “murderball,” involves intense physicality with athletes blocking and colliding with each other.
The world championships are currently underway in São Paulo, Brazil, where MacLellan is making his debut with Team Canada. Sally Chamberlain, the executive director of Parasport New Brunswick, emphasized the significance of MacLellan’s achievement for the province, highlighting that he is the first individual from the region to secure a spot on the Canadian team.
Acknowledging the support he received from the wheelchair rugby community in New Brunswick, MacLellan attributed much of his development to mentors like Hal Merrill, a key figure in the sport who passed away last year. MacLellan’s commitment to giving back to the community is evident as he shares his knowledge and experiences with local players and coaches after training and competing with the national team.
As MacLellan steps onto the world stage at his first world championships, he aims to work hard, enjoy the experience, and leverage the training that has brought him to this point. With Canada ranked sixth globally, the team faced off against Australia in their opening match and will compete against Brazil, the United States, the Netherlands, and New Zealand in pool play.
Expressing his desire to inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams, MacLellan hopes that his journey will motivate others to take the leap into parasports. Encouraging individuals to embrace new opportunities, he believes that trying parasports can lead to fulfilling experiences and personal growth.
