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The opportunity to see the wheelchair Rugby League community in action was enough to convince Westpac NSW Sky Blues fullback Emma Tonegato that she wanted to be a part of it.

Tonegato has been announced as an ambassador for NRL Wheelchair Rugby League.

The Cronulla-Sutherland fullback’s interest was piqued by her involvement with the Sharks.

“We’ve done a few activations with wheelchair players through my work with the club,” said the 28 year-old who heads the Sharks Equal Access Program.

“We actually did an activation with the Cronulla wheelchair team in Coffs Harbour last year, when the Sharks (NRL side) played up there.

“A number of the Cronulla team drove up there from Sydney to come to the activation game. I got to meet them all, their parents, their partners, and I thought ‘This is such a cool community’.

“They were so passionate about the sport and gone to all that effort for us. I was just so impressed.

“Someone later reached out about being an ambassador and I said ‘Absolutely – love to be involved I any way I can’.

“I want to help raise the profile of the sport and get more people to play it.”

Liam Luff in action for the NSW Wheelchair team
Liam Luff in action for the NSW Wheelchair team

It was the inclusive nature of wheelchair Rugby League, where teams are allowed two able-bodied players on court at a time opening up the possibility of families playing together - as is the case with NSW Blues and St George Illawarra Dragons father-and-son Craig and Cory Cannane.  

“I really like the way siblings can play together. Liam Luff, one of the Sharks players who is also a NSW and Wheelaroo rep, plays with his wife and I thought that was tops,” Tonegato said.

“I thought if ever I was in the position I would love to be play with my family or my partner …

“They are a very approachable group. Any time I reach out with a request or anything, it’s done in the next five minutes.”

Tonegato is heading into a busy year in 2024 with three Ampol State of Origin games for the first time before she heads into her fourth NRLW season - second with the Sharks.

“I’ll make it all work. I take all my commitments very seriously,” she said.

“I definitely want to show it’s not just a name on a piece of paper, but an actual partnership with the wheelchair players and competitions.”

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