Tye Angland was one of Australia’s top jockeys before a horrific fall in a horse race left him paraplegic five years ago.
At the time of the crash, 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 on horseback, but playing rugby at a high level with his sights on an Australian representation one day.
“It’s a brutal sport at times,” the 33-year-old said between games at Saturday’s Santos National Wheelchair Championships on the Gold Coast.
‘And I love it. You often bump into other chairs and you have to be very fit because it goes non-stop.
“But it’s cool and even though I’m just a student, I’ll be happy to keep playing it.”
Former champion jockey Tye Angland (pictured) at the National Wheelchair Rugby Championships on Saturday while playing for the ACT Buccaneers
Angland, an 11-time Group 1 winner, was seriously injured when his head was impaled in the turf shortly after takeoff from his mount Go Beauty Go during a race at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong on 25 November 2018.
He did not move for some time after the fall, but remained conscious the entire time.
But his legs wouldn’t function. His arms started to find shape and movement a few days later and a few weeks later he was flown back to Sydney to live and recuperate at the Royal North Shore Hospital.
Roll 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 also learn how to work out in the gym,” he said.
In his previous life, Angland (pictured) was an 11-time winning Group 1 jockey
Flashback five years to when Angland was hospitalized after a horrific racing fall that left him unable to use his legs
“But through it all I had my kids and they love sports, so I threw myself into life with them. I’m now fully doing things with the three of us and I like that.’
Workwise, Angland is now a jockey manager for outstanding Gr 1 winning hoops Josh Parr, Tim Clark and James Innes, providing for his income while the discovery of the sport of wheelchair rugby has rekindled his competitive spark.
“I was first introduced to the sport when I was in early rehab,” said Angland.
“Some of the other guys who were in rehab at the same time got involved and they invited me to come along.
“I loved it the moment I saw it. I had to go to the gym and rebuild and I do that regularly because you need strength. You can fall out of your chair in this sport.’
Wife Erin, who stood by him through the dark days and now greatly supports his new sporting passion, echoes that.
“He often comes home with sore shoulder muscles and is tipped out of his chair, but luckily not too many piles.”
On the Gold Coast, Angland represents the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Buccaneers at the Nationals.
“I joined them because the guys I train with play for that side,” said the proud Sydneysider.
The Nationals haven’t been kind to him this year in terms of wins, his first at that level, “but I’m on a steep learning curve.” It’s hard to adapt to the calls because the game is a bit like a gridiron in 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 fast paced. It’s a constant movement.
Angland (in yellow) at Saturday’s Nationals in Wheelchair Rugby. The ACT Buccaneers were bundled, but Angland played brilliantly
As soon as a team scores, the referee, a la basketball, hands the ball to the opponent from behind the baseline and play continues. To score, the carrier of the ball only needs to cross the back line between two designated green cones in his/her seat.
Players can be thrown into sin for three minutes for aggressive behavior.
“There are a lot of things to learn and being quick and elusive in the chair is a big asset,” said Angland.
Wheelchair rugby is a Paralympic sport and Angland has set his sights on it, but realizes it is still a long way off.
“Like I said, I’m still in the learning phase, but it would definitely be something I’d pursue if I got good enough.”
He has already become an extremely good defender, bagging opponent stars and not allowing them access to the ball… a rare skill.
In a short time he has already made incredible progress and it is his natural sporting prowess that helps him achieve this.
As a jockey he was certainly good enough and his natural drive to win combined with his impeccable balance that is still there should lead him to the top.