Amber J. Merritt

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒀𝒐𝒖
Last week for I had the pleasure of sharing my journey as an athlete and a person with a disability with the members, supporters, and administrators of The Swan Districts FC.
It was a beautiful morning, connecting through vulnerability and sharing the positive impacts being an inclusive organisation has on the community.
As a cross coder into Wheelchair AFL player it’s exciting to know this team is so passionate about increasing involvement within the inclusive sporting space.
Thank you for having me Swannies! 🦢

Well here it is…
After 15 years, 2 Paralympic Games, 1 Commonwealth Games, 4 World Championships, 2 U25 World Championships, an U23 World Championships, and about 100 different hairstyles, it’s time to move forward to the next phase of my life.

Basketball has been the most incredible chapter, and I’ve lived every single moment with passion, love, and dedication to a movement.
The team is a second family to me, and every memory created will be forever cherished.

My life is evolving, and my priorities are shifting, and instead of going against the shift, I’m stepping away from the safety that sport shrouded me with to continue on to whatever life and the next chapter of my story lies ahead. I won’t lie, this chapter might be pretty hard to beat 😅

To say thank you is just not enough, from all the coaches, to the support staff, to and to my teammates from the beginning to now, the impact you have all had on my life is profound.
To Frank Ponta, the man who started it all, my career is indebted to you, and I hope that you looked down from above with pride on what you created, not just for me but for everyone whose path you forged. To Craig Friday, who pulled me back from the brink, and opened me up to a new world in the game.
To the women of .athletes thank you for taking a chance on me, and for creating the opportunities and platform for me to tell my story, and to continue telling my story. Lastly to my parents and , to wear the Merritt name on my Australian jersey has been the greatest honour, to be your child and to be part of the legacy that is the , is the greatest glory. With your support and love, I have achieved more then I could’ve ever dreamed and for that I will be eternally grateful.
Life’s a journey, and now it’s time to travel the road less travelled to another side of life, surrounded by the memories, the love of my friends and family, and alongside the most beautiful soul with our trusty companion Winston.

It’s not farewell forever, this game is just too good, but for now it’s time for me to lean into life’s challenges and see what lies beyond the horizon ☀️

🤠 yee-haw

Same same but kinda different 🏉