Jared McIntyre’s Journey to the SA Wheelchair Rugby Team

Photo Credit: Shared via Jared McIntyre Instagram

Overcoming a life-changing accident, Jared McIntyre is set to represent South Africa at the European Wheelchair Rugby Championships in Norway.

Bloemfontein, South Africa (03 September 2025) – In 2007, a severe diving accident at Kenton on Sea could have ended Jared McIntyre’s athletic dreams. Instead, it marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey. Years later, who would have thought that Jared would be the only player from the Free State in South Africa’s national wheelchair rugby squad? Jared is now set to compete from 7 to 9 October at the European Championships in Skien, Norway.

Over the past 18 years, Jared has navigated a demanding path of rehabilitation, transforming himself into a top-level athlete despite the challenges of being a C7 quadriplegic. His injury affects all four limbs, leaving him with no movement in his legs and limited function in his hands and forearms. Yet, he maintains independence, driving a specially adapted car to manage his daily responsibilities as a product manager for a Bloemfontein-based company.

Jared is also the founder of the 14-year-old Mustang Wheelchair Rugby Club at the Kovsie campus. His wife, Mariné, who is a trained occupational therapist, is not only his partner in life but also his coach and guiding hand for the Mustangs. Together, they have helped nurture a sport that blends strategy, endurance, and sheer physicality.

Wheelchair rugby, sometimes referred to as “Murderball,” is a fast-paced game where collisions between chairs are part of the play. Jared likens these clashes to bumper cars, requiring athletes to be strapped in at the hips and feet, while maintaining precise control over their chairs to throw and catch the ball. Players must balance speed, strength, and agility over long distances, making the sport as mentally challenging as it is physically demanding.

Though South Africa has yet to secure qualification for the 2026 Paralympic Games in Brazil, athletes like Jared are raising the profile of wheelchair rugby and inspiring others to aim higher.

From a devastating accident to international competition, Jared McIntyre’s story is a testament to courage and the power of sport to transform lives.