Matthew Wheelahan is on his way to following in the footsteps of his idol: Socceroo and World Cup player Lucas Neill.

On 18 April Matthew will travel to South Australia to compete in the Special Olympics Soccer qualifier where it will be state versus state for a shot on the international stage at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens next year.

More than one thousand athletes with disabilities will descend on Adelaide to play a variety of sports from basketball to bowling, golf to gymnastics but for Matthew soccer will be the only thing on his mind. The 20 year old will be playing in the NSW Mixed One team and he’ll be cheered on by his family, especially Mum Corinne who has been taking him to practice and matches since he was ten.

Matthew will have to take a short break from his five day a week job at Sylvanvale Catering, but he says it will be worth it. “I really love playing soccer. I like kicking goals but I also like defending.”

We wish Matthew the very best of luck.

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