Mark Keaton says that these days people say to him: look at you now, you’ve gone from strength to strength.
“And it’s all down to playing physical disability rugby league, it really has changed my life,’’ says the 43 year old father of one.
He clearly remembers the day, three years ago, when he decided to take up playing the game, which combines aspects of touch footy and tackle rugby league.
“I was sitting down twiddling my thumbs and thought I need something to do on a Sunday, so went on the internet and physical disability rugby league came up,’’ he tells the South West Voice.
“I had a game the next day, a real game, not a trial.
“I was thrown in the deep end, told here’s the jersey, go out and show us what you got.
“I’ve never looked back.’’
Afterwards he received encouragement from one of his best mates, Councillor Warren “Wazza’ Morrison, who said to him: “I’m proud of you, mate’’.
Three years later Keaton, who was born with cerebral palsy, is still loving playing the game with his beloved Wests Tigers, one of four physical disability teams in the annual competition.
He has also played rep footy with NSW Country against City, won selection in an All Stars team, and played with an Indigenous team.
“For me the most important thing is I play for Wests Tigers and always will – I am a Campbelltown boy after all,’’ he says.
But these days he does a lot more than play footy.
Keaton is now also heavily involved in the Campbelltown and Macarthur community.
He’s an ambassador for physical disability rugby league in the area, and helps Warren Morrison with the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer fundraiser.
Keaton also does a little bit of work with Rainbow Crossing and Fastlane Karting at Minto, where he facilitates a morning devoted to enabling people with different abilities enjoy the sport of karting.
He’s really excited mostly though to help get as many people in Campbelltown and Macarthur into physical disability rugby league to help grow the game locally.
Keaton is currently helping to spread the word about a physical rugby league “come and try’’ day on Wednesday, November 26, at Bradbury Oval, 1pm to 3pm.
It will be part of International Day for People with Disability and organized with Campbelltown Council along with the NSW Physical Disability Rugby League (NSWPDRL).
It will be an opportunity to meet NSWPDRL players, learn the rules, and get involved in skill-based activities.
There will also be an exhibition match between the Wests Tigers and an invitational team.
Mark Keaton says he would love to see as many people as possible there on the day.
“I want all the disability people to get out here on Wednesday, November 26 and have a crack at physical disability rugby league, because you never know, it may change your life too,’’ he says.
For more information on the day visit the social media page of NSWPDRL at https://www.facebook.com/NSWPDRL