Our Story

Rebound WA traces its roots back to 1954, when wheelchair sport was first introduced at Shenton Park Rehabilitation Hospital – an Australian first. Initially embraced as a form of physical therapy, wheelchair sports quickly evolved into dynamic and fiercely contested competitions. By 1989, the growing demand and enthusiasm led to the formation of the Wheelchair Sports WA Association to support and organise these sporting events.

Over the years, we’ve expanded our reach and impact – partnering with sporting bodies across WA, hosting competitions across a wide range of sports, and broadening our services to include social and recreational programs. We've fostered a vibrant, inclusive community where members find not only sport, but also mentorship, friendship, and support.

At our core, we exist to empower Western Australians with physical disabilities – enabling them to explore what’s possible and lead more active, fulfilling lives.

Pioneering Contributions

Our journey has been shaped by many remarkable individuals, but two names stand out: Sir George Bedbrook and John (Johnno) Johnson.

Sir George Bedbrook, a visionary doctor and surgeon, revolutionised spinal injury treatment in Australia from his base at Shenton Park. He firmly believed that competitive and team sports played a vital role in improving both the physical and psychological wellbeing of people with spinal injuries – a philosophy that continues to guide us to this day. Beyond his medical achievements, Sir George was a founding force behind the Australian Paralympic movement and the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games.

Working alongside him was Johnno Johnson, a dedicated physiotherapist and passionate advocate for sport as therapy. Together, they developed a groundbreaking program at WA’s first Spinal Unit. Johnno's belief in the benefits of rigorous physical activity was ahead of its time, and his energy and discipline inspired a generation of young Western Australians with physical disabilities to embrace competitive sport. He went on to manage teams at three Paralympic Games, two Commonwealth Games, and numerous interstate events.

Our Paralympic History

The inaugural Paralympic Games unfolded in 1960 in Rome, Italy. Born from the vision of Sir Ludwig Guttmann, a pioneering neurologist, these Games emerged as an extension of the Stoke Mandeville Games, founded in 1948 in the aftermath of World War 2, as an annual sporting competition for those with spinal injuries. With just 400 athletes from 23 countries, the first Paralympics marked a groundbreaking moment, showcasing the athletic prowess and resilience of people with disabilities on an international stage.

Dr George Bedbrook, a former student at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, established a spinal clinic at Royal Perth Hospital in 1954. This then led to the first Australian team being sent to the Stoke-Mandeville games in 1957. Gradually this team then became a club, formed at Royal Perth Hospital, known as Wheelchair Sports WA.

Rebound WA (formerly Wheelchair Sports WA) has seen members represent since the first edition of the Paralympic Games and we are very proud of our heritage as one of the founding members of the Paralympic games and inaugural host of the Commonwealth Paraplegic Games in 1962.

  • 400 Athletes from 23 Countries competed in Olympic Sports of Archery, Basketball, fencing, Javelin, Shotput and Swimming as well as the additional Paralympic sports of Dartchery, Precision Javelin and the Indian Club Throw (All 3 have since been replaced by more competitive events).

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Bill Mather-Brown

    • Roger Cockerill

    • Kevin Cunningham

    • Chris O’Brien

    • Frank Ponta

    • John Turich

    • John Johnstone (Manager)

  • 370 Athletes from 22 Nations gathered in the Yoyogi Olympic Village for the 5 day 15-event Paralympics. The new events of 60 metre dash, 240 metre shuttle relay, Wheelchair slalom, Weightlifting and Discus were added to the program for the event.

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Bill Mather-Brown

    • Lionel Cousins

    • Elizabeth Edmonson

    • Marion O’Brien

    • Frank Ponta

    • Sir George Bedbrook (Team Leader)

    • John Johnstone (Manager)

  • Due to organisational difficulties in Mexico, the games were moved to Tel Aviv where 750 competitors from 29 Countries competed. the United States proved to be the dominant nation winning the most Gold medals, as it had done in the previous 2 iterations of the games.

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Bill Mather-Brown

    • John Beattie

    • Peter Burt

    • Kevin Cunningham

    • Lorraine Dodd

    • Elizabeth Edmonson

    • Marion O’Brien

    • Frank Ponta

    • Sir George Bedbrook (SMGF Delegate)

    • John Johnstone (Manager)

  • 1000 athletes made of up 273 Women competed in these games remembered for their large and Ebullient crowds. Blind German athletes participated in several events setting the stage for their later inclusion in separate competitions of athletes with other disabilities.

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • John Dwyer

    • Frank Ponta

    • Cliff Rickard

    • Victor Salvameni

    • Nadine Mather-Brown (Team Nurse)

  • Called the Torontolympiad, the 5th Paralympic games accelerated the movement by the official recognition of bind and amputee athletes who participated in a number of events. Nearly 1560 athletes competed and for the first time Wheelchair races were held on an oval track in the 200, 400, 800 and 1500 metre events. the games were acclaimed an unqualified success

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Harry Moseby

    • Frank Ponta

    • Victor Salvameni

    • Les Matthews (escort)

  • The American led boycott of the Moscow Olympics precluded the Paralympics being held in the Soviet Union but Arnheim proved to be a superb choice. Nearly 2000 athletes from 42 Countries competed over Two weeks of competition, with performances showing incredible improvements from previous games

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Peter Burt

    • Robert Augustin

    • Len Ettridge


  • The 1984 Paralympics were divided with the wheelchair games being held in Stoke Mandeville and other federations competing at Nassau County, Long Island, New York. The schism created actually increased the credibility of the Paralympics because the ICO President, Juan Samaranch, decreed that both games be held under the patronage of the IOC. The combined sites attracted 3000 athletes in all classes from 45 countries, with the new class of ‘les Autres’ (the others) formed. The Marathon was also introduced for wheelchair racers.

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • John Frederico

    • Mark Pope

    • Mandy Rose

    • Norma Beer (Team Nurse)

    • Doug Thompson (Escort)

  • For the first time, Paralympians gained access to all the major Olympic facilities and competed in the same venues used by their Olympic counterparts. The opening and closing ceremonies were almost identical to the Olympics and attended by a sellout crows of 70,000 in the Olympic Stadium. Nearly 4,000 athletes from 62 countries competed, with the USA entering the largest squad of 376 athletes.

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • John Frederico

    • John Hunt

    • Craig Parsons

    • Bruce Wallrodt

    • Norma Beer (Team Nurse)

  • A total of 15 sports, 13 of which were Olympic events provided the avenue for competition in Barcelona. Another innovation for the Barcelona games was to allow athletes with different disabilities to participate in the same events, hence elevating competitive standards and promoting greater interest from spectators. the Barcelona Paralympics hosted over 1.386 Million spectators with sell out crowds at 46 events.

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • David Bonavita

    • Priya Cooper

    • Louise Sauvage

    • Bruce Wallrodt

    • Mandy Rose

    • Norma Beer (Team Nurse)

  • The 10th Paralympic Games were held in Atlanta , the home of Coca Cola and the birthplace of Martin Luther King. More then 3,500 athletes from 120 countries competed in more than 17 sporting events. The Australian contingency of 162 athletes broke 18 world records in the athletics and swimming and came home with 42 Gold, 37 Silver and 27 Bronze Medals, finishing 2nd in the overall medal count.

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Ben Cox

    • Paul Nunnari

    • Priya Cooper

    • Louise Sauvage

    • Bruce Wallrodt

    • Mandi Rose

    • Norma Beer (Team Nurse)

  • The Sydney Paralympic Games was the second largest sporting event ever held in Australia. The Paralympics brought together nearly 4,000 of the World’s elite disabled athletes from 122 countries, making them the largest in Paralympic history. Over 1.1million tickets were sold with athletes regularly competing in front of packed stadiums. the Australian contingent of 278 Athletes topped the medal count for the first time, with an amazing 63 Gold, 39 Silver and 47 Bronze Medals.

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Paul Barnett

    • Justin Eveson

    • Priya Cooper

    • Lynda holt

    • Jeff Lane

    • Brad Ness

    • Louise Sauvage

    • Bruce Wallrodt

    • Paul Nunnari

    • Craig Parsons

    • Stacey Williams

    • Hayden Clark (Escort)

  • The 2004 Athens Paralympic games were the record breaking games. A record 3,969 athletes from 136 nations took part, with 304 World records and 448 Paralympic records broken. these games saw the emergence of China as the new power in Paralympic sports and for the first time ever both the Olympics and Paralympics had the same organising committee. The Australian contingent of 144 athletes finished second in the overall medal count with 100 medals (26 Gold, 38 Silver and 36 Bronze).

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Justin Eveson

    • Shaun Norris

    • Grant Boxall

    • Brad Dubberley

    • Dianne Saunders

    • Brad Ness

    • Louise Sauvage

    • Bruce Wallrodt

    • Paul Nunnari

    • Stacey Williams

    • Katrina Porter

    • Mark Le Flohic

    • Claire Mclean

    • Gary Lees (Staff)

    • Kim Ellwood (Staff)

    • Andrew Budge (Staff)

    • Luke Vladich (Staff)

    • Murray Treseder (Staff)

    • Kelvin Browner (Staff)

    • Craig Friday (Staff)

  • The 2008 Paralympic Games were held in Beijing, China, and the promise of a “games of equal splendour” shone through from the opening to the closing ceremony. The games will long be remembered for the amazing stadiums and record crowds in attendance at all sports. 1.9 million tickets were sold, with athletes regularly competing in front of sold out stadiums. Almost 4,000 athletes from a record 147 nations participated in the Beijing games. 279 World Records and 339 Paralympic records were broken and these games confirmed China as the World power in Paralympic sport. The Australian Contingent of 170 athletes finished 4th on the overall medal count with 79 medals (23 Gold, 29 Silver & 27 Bronze).

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Justin Eveson

    • Shaun Norris

    • Grant Boxall

    • Brad Scott

    • Brad Ness

    • Katrina Porter

    • Mark Le Flohic

    • Michael Hartnett

    • Clare Burzynski

    • Cobi Crispin

    • Damien Bowen

    • Madison De Rozario

    • Jeremy Tidy

    • Darren Gardiner

    • Gary Lees (Staff)

    • Kim Ellwood (Staff)

    • Ben Ettridge (Staff)

    • Mel Tantrum (Staff)

    • Ian Lowther(Staff)

    • Kelvin Browner (Staff)

    • Craig Friday (Staff)

  • The 2012 Paralympic Games were held in London, England, returning to the spiritual birthplace of the Paralympic movement for the first time. The Games were an incredible success with 2.7 million tickets sold, making them the first ever sold out Paralympic Games. The Games saw the emergence of social media with more then 1.3 million tweets posted during the games. Over 4200 athletes from a record 165 nations participated in the London Games. 252 World Records and 422 Paralympic Records were broken with China dominating the competition, winning over double second place Russia. The Australian Contingent of 161 athletes finished 5th on the medal count with 85 medals (32 Gold, 23 Silver & 30 Bronze).

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Justin Eveson

    • Shaun Norris

    • Brad Scott

    • Brad Ness

    • Katrina Porter

    • Michael Hartnett

    • Clare Nott

    • Amber Merritt

    • Sarah Vinci

    • Sam Harding

    • Nigel Barley

    • Damien Bowen

    • Madison De Rozario

    • Darren Gardiner

    • John Triscari (Staff)

    • Jenni Banks (Staff)

    • Ben Ettridge (Staff)

  • The 2016 Paralympic Games were held from the 7th to the 18th of September in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. The Games will be remembered to be filled with not only World Records, stand out performances and stories of overcoming adversity but also firsts. Rio’s Games were the first to be held in Latin American and also for the first time in paralympic history we saw 2 refugee athletes enter the games as independent Paralympic athletes and not being linked to a nation. We also saw the introduction of 2 new sports to the Paralympic schedule; Para-Canoe and Para-Triathlon. Australia was represented by 177 of the 4,318 athletes in the games, coming away with 22 Gold, 30 Silver and 29 Bronze medals, resulting in a 5th place finish in the overall medal count.

    Rebound WA Members:

    • Adam Deans

    • Madison De Rozario

    • Brant Garvey

    • Guy Harrison-Murray

    • Brad Ness

    • Shaun Norris

    • Brad Scott

    • Madeleine Scott

    • Anton Zappelli

  • Tokyo hosted 4,403 athletes from 162 nations, competing in 539 events across 22 different sports.

    Tokyo 2020, was the first games to be competed on an odd year (2021) due to the COVID-19 Pandemic causing postponement for a year. These games were also unique as there were no spectators allowed.

    Rebound WA Athletes:

    • Natalie Alexander

    • Rhiannon Clarke

    • Madison De Rozario

    • Caitlin Dransfield

    • Sarah Edmiston

    • Mary Friday

    • Sharon Jarvis

    • Robyn Lambird

    • Ben Popham

    • Grant Manzoney

    • Amber Merritt

    • Shaun Norris

    • Taishar Ovens

    • Kim Robins

    • Sarah Vinci

    • Anton Zapelli

  • The 2024 games showcased over 4,400 athletes competing in 549 events across 22 sports. Notably, the opening ceremony took place along the Champs-Élysées, marking the first time a Summer Paralympics began outside a stadium. China topped the medal table, while athletes set numerous world and Paralympic records. Australia's Paralympic team delivered an outstanding performance at the Paris 2024 Games, securing 63 medals—18 gold, 17 silver, and 28 bronze—across 17 sports, and finishing ninth overall.

    Rebound WA Members:

    • Rhiannon Clarke

    • Madison de Rozario

    • Sarah Edmiston

    • Phil Evans

    • Jake Howe

    • Tom McHugh

    • Shaun Norris

    • Frank Pinder

    • Ben Wright

    • Anton Zappelli

The Rebound WA Sporting Hall Of Fame

Through passionate commitment and hard work some of our members reach the very pinnacle of their sports. We honour the following Sporting Hall of Fame members.

Justin Eveson (1980- )

Justin was 12 years old when his right leg was amputated below the knee after a lawn aerating machine accident. Prior to his accident, he had played basketball but when joining with Rebound WA he participated in both Swimming and Wheelchair Basketball, with a primary focus on Swimming. As a Swimmer Justin attended his first Paralympics, Sydney 2000, winning Silver (4x100m Freestyle 34 pts) and Bronze (4x100m Medley 34 pts).
Following the Sydney Paralympics Justin transitioned full time to Wheelchair Basketball, making his first appearance for the National team in 2002. Justin went on to have a phenomenal Wheelchair Basketball career including playing a key role ine one Paralympic Gold and two Silver, as well as two World Championship Golds and a Bronze.
Early during his time as an athlete Justin also worked for Rebound WA as a Membership and Participation Officer for a time and upon retiring from Wheelchair Basketball took up a role with the Rebound WA board.

Bill Mather-Brown (1936 – 2025)

Bill contracted poliomyelitis at two years of age and since that time showed the strength, courage and determination needed to become one of Australia’s top wheelchair athletes. He competed in several sports at the Stoke Mandeville Games (the precursor to the Paralympic Games), and then at two Paralympic Games and a Commonwealth games, being awarded a combined total of nine medals. He was awarded the Western Australian Citizen of the Year for Sport in 1981.

Frank Ponta (1935 – 2011)

Frank was something of a pioneer of sport for people with disability in Australia. When he was 18, he developed a tumour on his spine, which eventually caused paraplegia. Frank competed at the Stoke Mandeville Games (the precursor to the Paralympic Games) and then went on to compete in five Paralympic Games. He was awarded a gold medal, two silver medals and a bronze medal in a range of sports. Once he retired from international competition, Frank continued to contribute his expertise by coaching and mentoring other athletes. He received many awards and recognitions included being inducted into the Australian Paralympian Hall of Fame.

Elizabeth Edmondson (1950 – )

Elizabeth became a paraplegic after contracting polio as a small child and started swimming from the age of five. At only 14 she became an Australian Paralympic competitor, going on to compete in two Paralympics, winning five gold medals and one silver medal. More recently Elizabeth returned to international competition and was awarded four gold medals and one silver medals at the 2009 World Masters Games.

Lorraine McCullough Fry (1944 – 2004)

Lorraine was an outstanding competitor and a role model for women in sport. After contracting transverse myelitis at the age of 13, she took up several sports as a part of her rehabilitation. Lorraine went on to compete in national and international games, including two Commonwealth Paraplegic Games and the 1968 Paralymic games. She was awarded medals in a range of swimming and athletics events.

Bruce Wallrodt OAM (1951 – 2019)

Bruce was a member of the Australian Paralympic training squad for over 20 years. Following a spinal haemorrhage that left him a paraplegic at the age of 29, Bruce was encouraged to get into wheelchair basketball by Bill Mather-Brown. He competed in three Paralympics and was awarded four gold medals, three silver medals and two bronze medals in Shot Put, Javelin and Discus events. He has also been successful in many other competitions at the state, national and international level. Bruce was widely recognised for his achievements, and in 1992 was presented with the Medal of the Order of Australia in the general division for his contribution to sport.

Priya Cooper OAM (1974 – )

Born with cerebral palsy, Priya fell in love with swimming at a young age. She has nine gold medals won at three different Paralympic games, as well as numerous world records and world championships. Priya was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1993, was named the 1995 Paralympian of the Year, was the Young Australian of the Year for Sport in 1999, received an Australian Sports Medal in 2000, and was inducted into the Western Australian Hall of Champions in 2006. She was also chosen to carry the Australian flag at the closing ceremonies of the 1992 and 1996 Paralympic Games and was the female captain of the Australian team at the 1996 Games.

Louise Sauvage OAM (1973 – )

Louise is one of Australia’s best-known athletes. Born with myelodidplasia, a form of congenital paraplegia, Louise participated in various sporting activities from an early age. She took up competitive wheelchair racing when she was 15 and quickly set the world on fire. Louise has won nine gold and four silver medals over three Paralympics; four gold medals in four world athletics championships; and is a winner of seven marathons, including the prestigious Boston marathon – four times. The list of Louise’s awards and recognitions is extensive and includes the Female Athlete of the Year at the Sport Australia Awards in 2000.

Our Life Members

Life Membership is awarded to members who have given at least 15 years of outstanding service to our association. We thank our following life members.

  • 2018 – Elizabeth Woods

  • 2012 – Desmond (Doc) Doherty

  • 2011 – Wayne Robins

  • 2010 – Esme Bowen

  • 2008 – Doug Steele

  • 2007 – Louise Sauvage OAM

  • 2007 – Bruce Wallrodt OAM

  • 2005 – Carilyn Holmes

  • 1997 – Doug McCaffery

  • 1997 – Kay Johnston

  • 1995 – Robert McLennan

  • 1994 – Jeff Hollands

  • 1991 – Cliff Rickard

  • 1991 – Norma Beer OAM

  • 1986 – L Mathews Cit WA

  • 1986 – John Beattie

  • 1981 – Frank Ponta

  • 1981 – Roger Cockerill

  • 1981 – W (Bill) Mather-Brown Cit WA

  • 1981 – Sir George Bedbrook Kt.OBE, St.J

  • 1979 – John (Johnno) Johnston MBE, Cit WA