Josh Pople may not be able to play rugby league, but he’s on the field at every game and every training session.
He is as much a team member for the Redland Parrots as the team’s front row forward.
Pople, 23, of Capalaba showed an interest in the sport at an early age and regularly headed to the school field in his electric wheelchair from Coolnwynpin State School and later at Capalaba College where he played with his able bodied friends at lunch time.
In Year 12, Pople featured in a Mates for Life television commercial and was in a DVD with Melbourne Storm. Last year, Pople had a private meeting with the State of Origin players. Josh’s involvement in the sport was originally facilitated through his teacher and a woman he met at the school tuckshop who was on the Capalaba Warriors committee. He was to be involved with the Capalaba Warriors for five years at Capalaba before moving to the Redland Parrots at Pinklands three years ago. he is also involved in the Sports Connect program with Jenny Frowd.
“He’s been very lucky with who he’s met and who he’s been involved with,” his mother Lisa Pople said.
“He lives and breathes rugby league. I feel sure he would have played if he was able to.”
Pople runs the water bottles onto the field, distributing drinks to the players from the back of his wheelchair. This is facilitated through Pople’s accreditation with the League Safe program.
“He’s a big part of the team. He knows the ins and outs of rugby league and attends every game. The boys love him and the team is just like a big family. Because Jeffrey (Josh’s father) takes him, he’s become a part of the team as well. Josh would love to play, but this is the second best thing,” Ms Pople said.
Ms Pople said Josh was very good at problem solving his own disability.
“He finds solutions. People are drawn to him. I can’t explain it,” she said.
She said he hoped to be able to do some volunteer work at Horizon when the new centre at Capalaba is completed.
“There would be a job that would be just right for him, especially if he is involved in sports and games of some sort.”
This year, stories of people like Pople will be highlighted as part of Disability Awareness Week from November 27 to December 3.