Australia's national powerchair football team, the Poweroos, will take to the court in Sydney this October for the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup.
The event is the second football World Cup to be hosted on Australian shores in 2023, being held in Sydney between Sunday 15th and Friday 20th October.
Melbourne City's Luke David and Rebecca Evans will make their international debut at the tournament and will be joined by Assistant Coach Robert Wright and Team Manager Skip Fulton (South Melbourne).
Luke David said he felt a "huge sense of pride" to be able to go on to the court and represent his country.
“It is a privilege to wear the green and gold," he explained.
"Missing selection in the initial World Cup squad before the COVID-19 pandemic made me realise that I had a lot of work to do to get another opportunity to represent Australia.
"I wasn't sure if I would ever get that opportunity again. I'm very grateful that a lot of hard work, training, and support from the Australian and Melbourne City FC coaches and teammates has paid off. It will be a very special moment to take the court in Sydney in front of family and friends."
This will be the first time Victoria has been represented in the Australian team with Rebecca Evans the first female athlete to wear the green and gold in an international powerchair football competition.
“I was really excited when the World Cup was announced as being played in Australia, knowing that I'll be able to have friends and family come and see me play in the World Cup. It will be awesome for Australia and also the sport in general," she said.
“I first started playing football in Perth, where I had lived my whole life, representing Perth Glory at my first Club Championships in 2019.
"After the pandemic, a few opportunities arose which allowed me to move to Melbourne, not only for work opportunities, but primarily to become more involved in football. I was fortunate to have been welcomed by Melbourne City FC with open arms, and have thrived in the faster pace and higher skilled environment.
“Wearing the green and gold is just a dream come true, and one that has been quite a few years of hard work and determination in the making!
"To also be the first female to represent Australia at a World Cup is pretty special too. I hope we can take inspiration from the Matilda's amazing run at the Women's World Cup, and go out there and show the world what Australian powerchair football is all about."
The Australian team is highly rated on the international stage having finished fourth at the third powerchair football World Cup in Florida, USA in 2017, with over 80 players from 15 clubs across six states and territories participating in competitive powerchair football in Australia.
The Victorian contingent will travel to Sydney Olympic Park for the 2023 FIPFA Powerchair Football World Cup. The team’s first match is the opener for the tournament on Sunday 15th October against Team USA.