Paralympian bows out as one of wheelchair rugby’s greats
LARA wheelchair rugby star Jason Lees has called time on his decorated career, bowing out as one of the sport’s greats.
Lees has confirmed his retirement after the Steelers missed out on a podium finish at the Paralympics in Tokyo earlier this year.
On Tuesday night the fatherof-two was recognised at the Disability Sport and Recreation Awards by winning the Masters
Sportsperson of the Year for his achievements in the sport.
Australia claimed gold in London and Rio de Janeiro but finished fourth in its attempt to complete a hat-trick.
Lees, 44, said he was content with his career.
“Over my whole career, three Paralympic Games, two gold medals – one in London and one in Rio – and a world championships gold and silver,” he said.
“When you put that all together, I think, yeah, I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to do.”
Lees said to stand on top of the podium at two Paralympics was the highlight of his career.
“The one we got in Rio was a very hard-fought gold medal,” he said.
“They’re definitely the highlights and maybe when I got to debut for Australia in 2009.
“Definitely the gold medals but also just the great memories of the trips with the teammates and being able to celebrate the victories and a bit of the rollercoaster.”
Lees was left a quadriplegic in 2000 after a motocross accident and took up the sport two years later.
He will remain involved in Australian wheelchair rugby as a development coach.
Lees’ award citation described him as a “synonymous figure of wheelchair rugby”.
“Achieving incredible things at the elite level over several Paralympics, the two-time gold medallist has been a key driver for growing the sport and its development pathways,” it said.
“You’ll see Jase mentoring the next generation of wheelchair rugby athletes through many of his activities.
“These include metro and regional activations, player/ coaching roles for Power House and the Victoria Protect Thunder, and some amazing work behind the scenes as the Victorian Wheelchair Rugby coordinator.”