Three Redcliffe athletes have earned spots on the Queensland teams for the inaugural 2024 Toyota AFL Open, marking a significant milestone for disability sports in the region. The combined national championship will showcase both wheelchair and inclusion football at South Pine Sports Complex from 21 to 26 November.
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Redcliffe Tigers in wheelchair AFL
It’s a banner year for Redcliffe Tigers teammates Joshua Boyle and Tristan Orchard! The pair earned spots on Queensland’s wheelchair team just a few months after their team claimed its first premiership.
Boyle, who joined the league this season, has quickly established himself as one of the competition’s most versatile players with a strong marking ability and physical presence in the forward line.
Orchard, a 2022 All-Australian defender known for his intercepting marks and exceptional spatial awareness, brings elite-level experience to the Queensland squad.
Inclusion team representative
Joseph Ryan, who represents Redcliffe in the inclusion competition, joins the APM South East Queensland team. Named the most valuable player at the 2022 National Inclusion Carnival, his selection reflects the strength of Redcliffe’s inclusive sports programs.
About the 2024 Toyota AFL Open Tournament
The 2024 Toyota AFL Open represents a watershed moment in disability sport, combining wheelchair and intellectual disability competitions into a single premier event. More than 200 athletes from across Australia will compete in over 90 matches during the five-day tournament.
The landmark tournament combines the two national wheelchair and intellectual disability AFL competitions:
Toyota AFL Open – Inclusion. Sponsored by APM South East Queensland, the inclusion division is an annual representative competition for participants aged 16 and older with intellectual impairments, allowing top players to showcase their skills on the national stage.
Toyota AFL Open – Wheelchair. Sponsored by Pathways to Care, the wheelchair division features the best athletes from across the country representing their respective states and territories, including a team from the RSL.
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Supporters can watch the final stages of competition live and free through the AFL Play YouTube channel and Kayo Freebies on 25 and 26 November.
Published 11-November-2024
