AFL clubs Collingwood, Essendon, Hawthorn, Richmond and St Kilda have partnered with Disability Sport and Recreation (DSR) in developing five eight-player squads, as part of the first state-wide AFL wheelchair competition.

Of the 40 players selected, six females have been drafted to AFL clubs, along with Paralympians and national wheelchair basketball representatives.

Newman, a former digger who served with the army for 13 years, was medically discharged in 2012 and suffered from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

His injuries were too severe to allow him to re-enter the workforce, but sport became his niche.

The Border veteran represented RSL Active in wheelchair football at national level for the past two years, before being selected with pick four by the Magpies following the draft combine.

“I ended up getting myself a little bit better first and then got into campaigning to get Soldier On into town, which I’ve done,” Newman said.

“I then got into adaptive sports that are done at the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre with the Albuy-Wodonga basketball group.

“I wasn’t sure if I fitted into that category because I’m not wheelchair-bound, but I started playing wheelchair basketball and an opportunity arose where RSL Active were looking for players last year to play in a national competition for wheelchair football.”

Games are played between teams of five on a rectangular court divided into thirds, with goal posts at either end.

Players are assigned to positions as either a defender, centre or forward, with the forwards the only players able to score.

A handball is ruled as a kick, while an underarm throw is a handball.

Supported by the Robert Rose Foundation, the new VWFL competition is the first opportunity for people with a physical disability to regularly play AFL state-wide.

Launched in March, the 10-round competition is open to anyone with a physical disability, people with mobility issues as well as able-bodied people who are interested in getting involved.

Round one of the VWFL competition is on Sunday at Boroondara Sports Complex, Balwyn North.

Newman participates in wheelchair basketball on Wednesday afternoons at the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre and hopes to raise the profile of wheelchair football in the region.

Anyone considering playing wheelchair sport on the Border is urged to contact him on 0401 032 063.