Injured footballer Alex McKinnon has returned to work for football club the Newcastle Knights after suffering a devastating spinal injury last year that has seen him confined to a wheelchair.
“After returning to Newcastle last week, it is great to be starting my new role with the Knights,” Alex, 22, said in a statement released via the Knights.
“My role will be mostly football related and working with the juniors, however I hope to also contribute on the commercial side.
“We are still working through all of those details but I am looking forward to the challenge and I am grateful for the opportunity.
“My rehabilitation program will also continue in Newcastle after I concluded my program on the Gold Coast.”
Newcastle Knights coach Rick Stone revealed the happy news two weeks ago that Alex had stood up on his own.
“He’s just finished in his rehab and he actually stood up unabated the other day,” Rick said.
“He stood up on his own which is a terrific sort of step for Alex.”
Alex on the field with his teammates standing proud beside him during a special ‘Rise for Alex’ round in July last year
Alex was injured on the field during Round 3 of the 2014 NRL Premiership Season in March last year after being felled by a tackle. The injury originally saw him placed in an induced coma having suffered severe spinal damage.
Despite being confined to a wheelchair, Alex has been undergoing intense rehabilitation and making improvements along the way, with his dogged determination proving an inspiration to fans and football-novices alike.
Alex has spoken of his goal to one day walk again, and the NRL has rallied behind him, raising over $1.4 million towards the cause last just July as part of their ‘Rise for Alex’ campaign.
Alex will nonetheless continue to play an active role as part of the Newcastle Club, working alongside Rick as well as the Knights director of football, Michael Hagan and high performance coach Troy Pezet in recruitment.
“That’s going to be a great opportunity for Alex to get his teeth into something he really loves, footy,” coach Rick told Sky Sports Radio.
“He’s inspiring young men and everyone in the club will be really happy to see him back.”
