A Christchurch-based medical laboratory scientist is preparing to represent New Zealand on the international stage with the national wheelchair rugby team, the Wheel Blacks.
Jacinta Richardson, who works in Specialist Biochemistry at Canterbury Health Laboratories, only made her debut for the Wheel Blacks last year. Now, she is set to compete at the Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Adelaide later this month, facing teams from Australia, Canada, Brazil, Germany, and the Netherlands. She will also compete in a tournament in Japan in July.
Jacinta was born with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a degenerative neurological condition that affects the strength in her legs. She uses a wheelchair on the court and wears leg braces to assist with walking.
“Growing up in Oamaru, opportunities to play sport as someone with a disability were limited. When my condition worsened, I thought my sporting days were behind me,” she said.
That changed after her mother discovered a local wheelchair rugby team through a fundraiser held by the Wheel Blacks.
“I had played able-bodied rugby as a kid and loved the physicality, so trying wheelchair rugby felt like a natural fit. I went along to a training session and instantly fell in love with the sport.”
Jacinta began playing while studying at Otago University in Dunedin. She continued to train on her own during a work placement in New Plymouth before moving to Christchurch, where she joined the Canterbury team.
“It quickly became clear that Christchurch was the best place for me to grow as a player, so when I got a job at CHL in September last year, I was thrilled.”
She made her debut for the Wheel Blacks at the 2024 Paralympic qualifying tournament in Wellington and has since represented New Zealand in Australia and at the Women’s World Cup in Paris.
Jacinta said her role at Health New Zealand has been instrumental in helping her pursue her sporting career.
“The support I’ve received from my team and leadership at CHL has been incredible. They’ve encouraged me to pursue my sporting goals while balancing my professional responsibilities,” she said.
“Their flexibility and understanding have allowed me to travel, train, and compete at the highest level, and I’m truly grateful to be part of such a forward-thinking and inclusive workplace.”
“Playing wheelchair rugby has helped me grow, not only as an athlete, but also as a person, and I’m proud to represent both my country and my workplace on the international stage.”
