Jockey Tye Angland was paralysed in horror fall at Sha Tin, now he is back in wheelchair rugby

Tye Angland was one of Australia’s top jockeys before a horrific horse-racing crash left him paraplegic five years ago.

At the time of the accident, his life-changing accident left the entire racing community in stunned disbelief, wondering how such a tragedy could befall such a talented jockey.

But, now he’s back, not riding, but rather playing high-level rugby with his sights set on Australian representation one day.

“It’s a brutal sport sometimes,” the 33-year-old said between games at Santos’ National Wheelchair Championships on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

‘And I like it. You crash into other chairs a lot and you have to be very fit because it’s non-stop.

“But, it’s cool and while I’m still just a learner, I’ll happily continue playing it.”

Angland, an 11-time Group 1 winner, was badly injured when he was thrown headfirst into the turf shortly after his Go Beauty Go mount set off during a race at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on the 25th of November in 2018.

He did not move after the fall for some time, but remained conscious throughout.

But his legs weren’t working. A few days later his arms began to regain shape and movement and a few weeks later he was brought back to Sydney to live and rehabilitate at the Royal North Shore Hospital.

Fast forward five years and he, his wife Erin and their three children are thriving.

“It wasn’t easy at first because everything in my life had to change. I had to adapt and learn how to get stronger in the gym too,” he said.

In his past life, Angland (pictured) was an 11-time Group 1 jockey winner

Flashback five years to when Angland was in hospital after a horrific running crash left him without the use of his legs

“But, through it all, I had my kids and they love sports, so I threw myself in with them. I now do things with all three of them and I like it.

Professionally, Angland is now jockey manager for incredible Gr 1 winning hoops Josh Parr, Tim Clark and James Innes who look after his income, while the discovery of wheelchair rugby has reinvigorated his competitive spark. .

“I first discovered the sport when I was in early rehab,” Angland said.

“Some of the other guys who were doing rehab at the same time were involved and they invited me over.

“I loved it as soon as I saw it. I had to go to the gym and rebuild myself and I do it regularly because you need strength. You can get knocked down and fall out of your chair in this sport.

This is echoed by his wife Erin, who supported him through the dark days and is now very supportive of his new sporting passion.

“He often comes home with sore shoulder muscles and has been knocked out of his chair, but luckily not too many piles.”

On the Gold Coast, Angland represents the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Buccaneers at the national championships.

“I joined them because the boys I train with play for this team,” said the proud Sydneysider.

The Nationals haven’t been kind to him in terms of wins this year, his first at that level, “but I’m on a steep learning curve.” It’s hard to adapt to calls because the game is a bit like a gridiron in the sense that the ball is thrown in front of you.

And the calls come from behind. You don’t really see much.

Wheelchair rugby is played on indoor basketball courts with four players on each side and is played at a fast pace. It is a constant movement.

Angland (in yellow) during Saturday’s National Wheelchair Rugby Championships. The ACT Buccaneers were consolidated but Angland played superbly

Once a team scores, the referee gives the ball to the opponent behind the baseline and play continues. To score, the ball carrier only has to cross the back line between two designated green cones on his chair.

Players can be fined for aggressive behavior for three minutes.

“There’s a lot to learn and being quick and elusive in the chair is a big plus,” Angland said.

Wheelchair rugby is a Paralympic sport and Angland has his sights set on it, but realizes it’s far from it.

“Like I said, I’m still in the learning stage, but it would definitely be something I would pursue if I was good enough.”

He has already become a very good defender, holding the opposition stars in his pockets and not allowing them access to the ball…a rare skill.

In a short time he has already progressed in unlikely ways and it is his natural sporting prowess that helps him succeed.

As a jockey he was certainly quite good and his natural drive to win combined with his impeccable balance which is always there should see him progress to the top.