Brayden’s story – from the sidelines to the spotlight

Last year, we proudly cheered on six past and present Variety Heart Scholarship recipients as they represented Australia at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Among these remarkable athletes was Brayden Foxley-Conolly, a 3.5-point player in wheelchair rugby. Many of our long-term supporters will remember Brayden, who Variety Queensland has supported from a young age.

As a key member of the Australian team, Brayden helped clinch a 53–48 victory over Canada to secure the championship title.

We caught up with Brayden, now 20 years old – and we’re honoured to share his inspiring story with you.

In the video, Brayden opens up about the challenges of growing up with a disability: the loneliness, the isolation, and the feeling of being left on the sidelines – until a moment that changed everything.

“I was sort of sitting on the sidelines, just watching from afar – but once I got into the chair I never looked back. It was the best moment of my life.”

That spark ignited a journey of passion, resilience, and athletic excellence.

Thanks to your support, Variety Queensland has been proud to stand behind Brayden throughout his journey. His achievements in wheelchair rugby reflect not just his incredible dedication, but also the power of community backing.

As the sport continues to grow in visibility and impact, athletes like Brayden are leading the way – proving that with the right support, anything is possible.