Timothy Blowes remembers being dragged kicking and screaming to attend a training session run by Chris Pyne when he was eight years old.
Next Saturday, he’ll line up for his Australia debut next to his idol and one of the Pararoos’ greatest ever players.
“I remember dad having to drag a really scared and crying Tim Blowes out of the car,” he recalls of his first meeting with the 102-times capped Pararoo.
“I guess that was the first time I had ever seen someone with cerebral palsy or a disability and it's pretty cool to be walking out with him as a teammate as I've had him as a big role model in my life."
Blowes, 17, is set to make his international debut after a superb outing at the recent 2019 National CP Football Championships in which he was awarded FT2 Player of the Tournament.
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The clash against Canada on November 30 will be the Pararoos’ first clash on home soil since the Paralympic Games in 2000.
“To be honest. I don't think I can describe the experience. It's going to be one of a kind, and one that I'm going to cherish forever,” he said.
100 per cent of ticket sales from the match will be invested into the Pararoos, helping to ensure that there are continued opportunities for the squad.
Kick-off is at 5.30pm AEDT with tickets on sale now at pararoos.com.au.
Pararoos 14-Player Squad | Australia v Canada – International Friendly | Saturday, 30 November 2019 | Cromer Park, Cromer, NSW
Name (Cap) |
State |
International Caps (Goals) |
Ben ATKINS (27) |
New South Wales |
70 (8) |
David Barber (C) (1) |
Queensland |
99 (70) |
Christopher BARTY (35) |
Western Australia |
33 (0) |
Timothy BLOWES |
New South Wales |
0 (0) |
Jeremy BOYCE |
New South Wales |
0 (0) |
Connor BUNCE (55) |
Western Australia |
7 (4) |
Daniel CAMPBELL (53) |
New South Wales |
13 (2) |
Cosimo CIRILLO (49) |
Victoria |
8 (1) |
Matthew HEARNE (46) |
Victoria |
20 (2) |
Taj LYNCH (51) |
New South Wales |
14 (1) |
Angus MACGREGOR (44) |
Victoria |
10 (1) |
Augustine MURPHY (52) |
New South Wales |
9 (1) |
Christopher PYNE (2) |
New South Wales |
102 (20) |
Benjamin ROCHE (16) |
New South Wales |
52 (28) |
Pararoos v Canada
Date: Saturday, 30 November 2019
Venue: Cromer Park (South Creek Road, Cromer, NSW)
Kick-off: 5.30pm AEDT
Tickets: Tickets on sale now via pararoos.com.au (100 per cent of ticket sales invested back into the Pararoos)