“Look at that poor dog”, said Ryley to his father as they drove past a 3 legged dog crossing the road....

At 10 Ryley, who has no legs, and only 2 fingers on each hand, did not see himself as disabled. He was born this way and just gets on with life. He was forced into a Wheelchair at 11 (he didn’t want one because he thought they were for disabled people) after getting along on a skateboard. By 12 he was in the N.S.W W/Rugby Team, and by 13 in the Australian Team.

The following year, Ryley represented his country in Japan. At the Paralympic Games in Athens in 2004, Ryley became the youngest ever wheelchair rugby Paralympian at just 15. However, Athens was also a turning point for Ryley. His provisional classification of 2.5 – a “mid-pointer” was overturned and Ryley was classified at the Games as a “high pointer” – 3.5. This required Ryley to adapt to new responsibilities on the court and to lift his game to a new level, carrying almost half his team’s total point allocation whenever he takes the floor.

In 2003, his first year in the National Wheelchair Rugby League, he was recognised as the best 2.5 point player in Australia, Player of the Year and also Rookie of the Year. He was also the most valuable player in 2004, 2006 and 2007. Ryley says that his greatest achievement in his life so far has been making the Australian team. As Beijing beckons, his dream of winning a Paralympic medal offers the challenge of an even greater achievement.

• 2008- Super Series 1st (AUS)- MVP
• 2007- Oceania Championship Gold medalist (AUS)- MVP
  Australian National League 1st NSW-MVP
• 2006- World Championships
  Australian National League 1st NSW-MVP
  Canada Cup- 4th
• 2005- Oceania Championships (AUS)- runners up
• 2004- Australian Paralympic Team- Athens
  Australian National league 1st(NSW)
  Super Series 1st (AUS)- MVP
• 2003- Oceania Championships-1st (AUS)
  Best 2.5 in Australia 2003
  Player and Rookie of the Year 2003
• 2002- Australian National League 1st (NSW)