Brett Newman's second Victorian Wheelchair Football League premiership was an emotional affair as he and his Collingwood teammates paid tribute to their late captain.
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League pioneer Brendan Stroud passed away just hours before the Magpies met Essendon in the decider at Boroondara Sports Complex on Sunday.
Newman, a veteran from Wodonga, co-captained the Pies to a 59-54 victory.
"It was a very emotional day for the whole team," he said.
"I think we all went in with the mindset of knowing what we had to do for that hour, and we did it.
"I received Brendan's premiership medallion and that was such an honour.
"After the celebrations I was able to deliver it to his family."
Newman brought the VWFL premiership cup to the border this week as he promotes the sport in the region.
Alongside NSW Wheelchair Sport, Newman has started a program at The Scots School Albury on Thursday nights which caters for all abilities.
"It's about learning a good sport and having fun," he said.
ALSO IN SPORT:
"We have 12 chairs that people can use here at the moment.
"They don't have to have any football or wheelchair skills. Once you start it's like riding a bike, you can only get better."
Newman hopes to see the sport grow in the region.
"My aim is to get a couple of the local footy teams on board and start an Albury-Wodonga competition," he said.
The Scots School Albury principal Mark Geraets said he's enjoying being able to offer the school's facilities to both the AFL wheelchair program and the Murray Bushrangers.
"We just want to show kids that there are so many different opportunities in so many areas that they can succeed in," he said.
With International Day of People with Disabilities on Friday, residents can register for a wheelchair sport come-and-try session at Wodonga's Cube between 4 and 7pm.
More information about the sport can be found via the Wheelchair AFL Albury Wodonga Facebook page.
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