Scotland big hearts aid athletes of all abilities

THE Bravehearts have been eliminated from the Rugby League World Cup but they also left a legacy to encourage players of all abilities to follow their dreams.

Scotland Rugby League chairman Keith Hogg last week presented four jerseys to Far North organisers of Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association in the hope of raising money to support disability sport.

The selection included two Scotland jerseys from the Rugby League Wheelchair World Cup, one from the match in Cairns against Tonga and another from the nation’s warm-up match in Ballina.

Sporting Wheelies’ Cairns program officer David Holzheimer said it was a fantastic gesture from the visitors.

“It’s actually really good to know other nations are the same as Australia in wanting to support and encourage athletes with disabilities to continue their dreams,” he said.

“Our organisation is going to be using them to raise awareness in regional Queensland for all-abilities sport and fundraising.”

The NRL administrates wheelchair rugby league programs with state bodies.

Sporting Wheelies runs strong wheelchair basketball and goalball leagues in the Far North.

Holzheimer said Scotland’s support and engagement in the community was a huge source of encouragement to people of all abilities.

Not only did the Bravehearts see the sights during their two-week stay in Cairns, players ran a clinic in Mossman last week and coach Steve McCormack attended a Remembrance Day service in the city prior to his side’s draw against Samoa on Saturday.