Sport in the spotlight at Peel Sports Forum

Presented by the Department of Sport and Recreation, the forum saw aspiring Peel athletes gain insight from keynote speakers and Australian Paralympians Brant Garvey and Brad Scott.

Speaking first, Garvey expressed the importance of a never-give-up attitude telling the story of how he became the first above-knee amputee to complete an ironman event and a five-time National Wheelchair Basketball League champion.

Born without a right leg, Garvey faced struggles in learning to walk let alone compete in an ironman.

“I remember the first time I tried to run. My artificial leg went flying out from under me and my face broke my fall,” he told the crowd.

“Some people passing by were so horrified they refused to make eye contact with me and just kept cycling.

“That was one of the real defining moments of my life. I could have given up and just written it all off as impossible, but I kept pushing.”

From there, Garvey went onto be Australia’s first competitor in the Men’s PT2 triathlon in the Paralympic games.

Brad Scott, who went viral at the Rio Paralympic games, stressed how mental strength can help athletes accomplish more.

Scott was born with cerebral palsy and went on to finish with a number of medals in both Paralympic games and International Paralympic Committee world championships.

He announced his retirement from competitive athletics in November, 2016.

Champion hurdler and National Junior Hurdles coach Lyn Foreman also addressed the crowd, preparing them to play and reach peak performance.

Local school students had the chance to chat to the athletes and gain further insight after their speeches.