Wheelchair Rugby Australia unveils new development team name and team list ahead of New Zealand Nationals
Wheelchair Rugby Australia (WRA) is proud to announce the official name for its development team: The Australian Miners – a squad dedicated to unearthing and refining the next generation of elite wheelchair rugby athletes.
This exciting new identity symbolises the grit, determination, and strong pathway connecting emerging athletes to Australia’s elite national team, the Steelers, and comes as the development team prepares to travel and compete at the upcoming New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby Nationals held in Christchurch from 5 to 7 September 2025.
The name and identity of the Miners has been crafted by athletes and staff, forging a co-designed brand that reflects the team’s values, ambitions, and deep connection to the Steelers.
The development program, which was established in 2021, identifies and fast-tracks emerging talent beneath the Steelers. Since 2021, the Australian development team has competed in five international tournaments and has seen eight current Steelers transition through the program.
Sam Fox, General Manager – Pathways & Talent, expressed enthusiasm about the name and what it represents for the future of the sport.
“The athletes, having truly made the program their own, sought a team identity that reflected its values and the vital role it plays in their pathway,” Mr Fox said.
“As we enter a new era of development, that vision has taken shape in a name that captures their journey and spirit: The Australian Miners. The Miners are where we dig deep, through identifying talent, building skills and shaping players into future Steelers.
“It’s a nod to the hard work, toughness and resilience it takes to go from raw potential to polished performance, while strengthening the pathway and providing athletes with clear and exciting target to push towards for elite competition."
The 11-strong development team will test out the new name publicly for the first time at the New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby Nationals later this week. More information about the NZ Nationals including streaming information can be found on the New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby Facebook page.
2025 New Zealand Nationals Australian Miners development team lisT
| Name | Classification |
|---|---|
| Rhiannon Bellette | 3.5F |
| Robyn Lambird | 3.0F |
| Cooper Blackwood | 3.0 |
| Alby Everett | 3.0 |
| Jet Johnson | 2.5 |
| Conor Tweedy | 2.5 |
| Caleb Crowden | 2.0 |
| Peter Campbell-Rogers | 1.5 |
| Tai Martin-Page | 1.5 |
| Damien Mortaud | 0.5 |
| Cameron Wales | 0.5 |
Staff: Jason Lees (Head Coach), Richard Voris (Assistant Coach), Ben Newton (Assistant Coach), Maddy Lynch (Team Manager), Lewis Quinn (Performance Analyst), Eloise Boyle (Wellbeing Manager), Lily Pridham (Mechanic), Brooke Cranney (Physiotherapist), Emily Athanasiou (Nurse).
Athletes Ben Chalker and Ashley Treseder will also compete in the New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby Nationals as imports playing for Waikato.
Emerging player Rhiannon Bellette, a current member of the pathway program, shared their excitement about representing the Australian Miners for the first time in New Zealand.
“Being part of the Miners gives me a real sense of pride and motivation,” she said.
“It’s incredible to have a team that’s focused on helping us grow and prepare for the next level, training to be forged into future Steelers. Knowing there’s a clear pathway to the Steelers makes me want to push even harder every day.”
Current Australian Steelers athlete, Jayden Jackson, expressed his support for the new identity for the development program and highlighted the importance of nurturing future talent.
“The Steelers have a proud history of success, and I have no doubt that the Miners are going to play a huge role in keeping that tradition strong,” he said.
“Having been one of the first athletes to come through the pathway program myself and make the transition into the high-performance team, I know first-hand how valuable this program is. It gives players the chance to develop, gain experience, and see a clear path forward. I’m excited to see our athletes come through the ranks, represent the Miners, and one day potentially even wear the Steelers jersey with pride.”
Currently, a co-design process is underway to further refine the Miners’ brand identity, including the development of a team logo. This collaborative approach ensures the brand truly reflects the grit and pride of the players and community involved.
WRA is committed to growing the sport and supporting players at all levels. The Miners align closely with the Steelers brand, sharing values of teamwork, toughness, and national pride, while carving out their own identity in the Australian wheelchair rugby community.
For more information and media enquiries, please contact:
Emily Newton
Manager – Media & Marketing
emily@wheelchairrugby.com.au
0481 121 440