In the fifth and final part of our series focused on the Kiwi officials who proudly served at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games we turn our attention to the sport of Wheelchair rugby.
For Kiwi duo Jon Corson and Tim Johnson – who each served as Wheelchair rugby officials at Paris 2024 – the Games proved an overwhelming success, showcasing the very best in the high-octane sport.
Jon, the Assistant Head Official at Paris 2024, was making his fifth Paralympic Games appearance as an official and he described the Wheelchair rugby competition as the best “across the board” he has experienced.
Responsible for the management and running of the referee crew during the five-day Wheelchair rugby competition, he was first introduced to the sport as a spectator at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
“I only intended to watch a couple of sessions in Sydney, but after seeing the first game I was hooked on the contact, speed and tactics of the sport and ended up attending all sessions.”
After moving to Australia, he started volunteering for the Sporting Wheelies in Brisbane and after he was asked if he was interested in working for the Wheelchair Rugby Programme as an official, he was quickly hooked.
“I started out wanting to help out in the community to get to know people, it became a lifelong passion for the sport,” says Jon.
Committed to working long days in Paris – which regularly began two hours before the start of play each day and concluded an hour or so after the final game – Jon, nonetheless, describes officiating at Paris 2024 as “a privilege”. Attracted to the rules and technical aspects of the sport he insists Wheelchair rugby offers so much for both spectators and those who want to get involved.
“Personally, I find that the family and social aspect of the sport keeps me going within the roles I have performed,” he explains. “I enjoy helping those new to the sport, and even those more experienced, get the most out of their journey. It is great to see some of those people that I have worked with in the past reach the top level and officiate at the Paralympic Games.”
Some 20 years after striking gold with the Wheel Blacks at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Paralympian #126 Tim Johnson made his Paralympic debut as a leading Wheelchair rugby official at Paris 2024.
Johnson, who competed at three Paralympic Games during a career spanning more than 10 years, retired from the sport in 2011. Initially not thinking of any involvement in Wheelchair rugby, however, he was asked if he would like to be a Technical Delegate for the 2013 Asia-Oceania Games and he jumped at the chance.
“It’s a varied role and something that I can utilise all my knowledge of the sport,” he said.
Continuing to work on a number of international Wheelchair rugby events he served in the role as Assistant Technical Delegate (now termed IF Delegate) at Paris 2024.
Involved for three years prior to the event supporting the Paris 2024 Local Organising Committee in all aspects of the competition specific to wheelchair rugby – his role was to assist the IF Delegate to ensure the event was run in accordance with all the rules and regulations of the sport.
Proud to work on an event of this significance he has many happy memories of the competition.
“The overall support and atmosphere for each session was a real highlight,” he adds. “All ten sessions were sold out in part due to my involvement but mainly due to the simple fact that wheelchair rugby is an amazing sport.”
