Chris is one of Wheelchair Rugby's top players
Chris Meneilly is one of Wheelchair Rugby’s top players. Chris plays his his game with Ulster Barbarians but is also a member of the Team Ireland Squad. We caught up with Chris recently to chat with him about Rugby and find out a little more about him
Name: Chris Meneilly
Age: 35
Club: Ulster Barbarians
1) Tell us a little about yourself?
I have always been a health and fitness enthusiast and have always tried not to take my body and health for granted, definitely something implanted in me from my disability and something that I am sort of grateful for. Apart from keeping as fit and healthy as I can, I enjoy reading, occasionally playing Xbox and spending time with friends and family.
I work for a charity in Belfast as a Communications Officer, of sorts, and absolutely love this work (most of the time) as it involves quite a lot of creativity, some graphic design and a fair amount of public speaking, all three of which I thoroughly enjoy and have done since childhood.
2) What is your favourite sport?
I prefer to play sports rather than watch them and, obviously, wheelchair rugby is my favourite. I’m very passionate about able-bodied and disabled moving as much as possible so always play rather than watch and there’s a sport for all ability levels I think…
3) You’re heavily involved in your club and on the National team. What brought you to get started with your club?
I was at the gym one day about four or so years ago and David Ross very kindly approached me, asked if I’d played any sports and if I wanted to give wheelchair rugby a go.
Thanks for that David, best invite ever.
4) What do you enjoy about your club?
The camaraderie and communication. It’s a very friendly club and we all have a pretty good time at training and on the court as much as we can. Doing well in competitions is very important but so is enjoying your chosen sport.
5) What do you enjoy about training/competitions?
The adrenaline and the buzz. Drills without a ball bore me but give me a ball to chase and the adrenaline kicks in and I love it. I’m very competitive by nature so I love competitions, practice games and drills that bring that out in me. I workout plenty alone so I love competition when with other people.
6) What are your achievements to date?
Oh, that’s a hard one. I haven’t had too many achievements yet but I’m on the National Development Squad and hope to progress further. I’ve been away on multiple European and international competitions and I’m hoping for more of that this year.
I’ve got a few achievements in my work and personal life and do try to be an ambassador for change within the disability community. I do a lot of disability awareness and some disability rights work within and outside of work.
7) What are your aims/goals for 2023?
I really want to improve my on-court confidence and skill. I used to get quite nervous, and still do but it’s less now. I have Cerebral Palsy which means I have to keep my excitement in check otherwise it physically effects my performance.
8)What advice would you have for younger athletes?
Start young and try out as many sports as you can. I thought about wheelchair rugby years ago but then thought it was only for spinal injuries. Thank goodness David Ross came up to me that day otherwise I still wouldn’t be playing my favourite sport.
Try everything at least once, regardless of your ability, you’ll find a sport you love and a team or club of like-minded people.
