One of the newest members of the eight-strong Wheel Blacks squad set to compete at the World Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Brazil (16–25 August) is Michael Barry.
The 29-year-old from the Kapiti Coast made his Wheel Blacks debut last year in Japan and he is thrilled to be preparing for his first World Championships. Since taking up the Para sport a decade ago, Wheelchair rugby has given him both direction and purpose.
“The sport has given me so much,” he explains. “It has given me an opportunity to perform with pride at a sport when I have found it hard to do other Para sports. I can’t wait to compete in Brazil.”
Born with cerebral palsy, which has left him with weakness down his right side and, to a lesser extent, his left side, Michael tried several sports growing up, including football and touch rugby.
It was not until the age of 15, however, that he and his twin brother, Chris, who also has cerebral palsy, were introduced to Para sport through Wheelchair basketball.
Michael quickly embraced the camaraderie and confidence the Para sport provided before he and Chris were later introduced to Wheelchair rugby by former player and current dsport (formerly Parafed Wellington) treasurer Alan Signal.
“It was a very different experience to anything I’d previously done,” explains Michael, who first tried Wheelchair rugby 10 years ago. “I enjoy the teamwork, the crashing of the chairs and scoring tries. I enjoyed learning about the Para sport, getting to know the players and hanging out with my team-mates was cool.”
Representing the Wellington Wheelchair rugby team as a 3.5-point player (classifications range from 0.5 (the most impaired) to 3.5, (the least impaired), Michael believes his confidence carrying the ball, ability to score tries and speed around the court have helped him flourish.
His progress was rewarded last year when he made his Wheel Blacks debut at the Japan Para Wheelchair Rugby Tournament before helping New Zealand claim bronze at the Asia Oceania Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Thailand. During the tour he also received his official international classification.
“After playing the sport for many years, it was cool to make my Wheel Blacks debut,” explains Michael. “I was excited to play for my country for the first time and play against other top international teams.
“It was a learning experience playing at an international level, and I’m always trying to develop,” says Michael, who works as a grocery assistant in Paraparaumu. “I was pleased with how I played.”
When he was overlooked for the Wheel Blacks squad for the World Championships qualifying tournament in Colombia in April, Michael refused to dwell on the disappointment.
Instead, he doubled down on his training.
Combining three on-court sessions with two gym sessions each week, he has improved both his speed and stamina while also refining his positional play. The hard work paid off with selection for the Wheel Blacks squad bound for São Paulo.
Ranked 10th of the 12 teams competing, Michael understands the challenge facing the Wheel Blacks in Brazil as they continue their longer-term push towards qualification for the LA28 Paralympic Games.
Drawn in a six-team pool featuring world No.2 Australia, world No. 3 the USA, Canada, the Netherlands and hosts Brazil, the Wheel Blacks face a daunting assignment. Michael, however, is eager to make his contribution.
“I just want to give it my all, and give it everything I have whenever I play,” he says.
And beyond Brazil?
“I just want to keep getting picked for more international teams,” he explains. “To compete at a Paralympic Games in the future would be very exciting.”
***For a full competition schedule and details on how to watch, go here.
