Kingscliff Public school children have been given a lesson on what determination and self belief can bring following a visit to their school by Tweed-based triathlete Bill Chaffey.
A local police officer, Bill Chaffey was left seriously injured with four broken bones in his back, and broken elbows and pelvis, after an accident between a light truck and his bike near Chinderah in 2005.
But he has fought back to become a world champion not once but twice and is now setting himself to be an Olympian.
“They announced last year that triathlon will be in the Para Olympics for 2016 in Rio,” he said.
“I’m definitely aiming for it – Rio is four and a half years away but I’m trying to work out a program and train hard for it although my next goal is the world championships in New Zealand next year.”
Bill was invited to the school to talk to the young students from Year 3-6 by good friend and fellow Tweed Valley Triathlon Club member Gerry Matthews. His message was simple – with love and support of friends and family and a lot of self belief you can do anything.
He said it was a love of the sport which saw him come back and compete again even before he had the right wheelchair and equipment.
In 2008, just three years after the accident which had left him having to learn to walk again, Bill made the Australian team and in 2009 he won the world championships. He was second in 2010 and just six weeks ago he regained the world title in China.
