29 Oct 2024

Jazz-loving paralympian Dave MacCalman on his love of sport

From Nine To Noon, 10:05 am on 29 October 2024
Four-time paralympian Dave MacCalman.

Photo: Supplied

Dave MacCalman is not one to complain. The four-time Paralympian has competed and coached on the world stage in several sports.

It started with basketball, where his near nonstop practice growing up took him to Brisbane as the first New Zealander to play in the Australian National League, and then to the US on scholarship.

Then came a life-altering accident whilst swimming - but becoming quadriplegic didn't deter him from his love of sport, or his determination to succeed at an international level.

Aside from helping establish and coach wheelchair basketball and rugby across the country, his para-athletics career saw him win three medals.

Throughout it all has remained a relentless work ethic, a sense of humour, and a willingness to improvise - much like the jazz he grew up listening to and which formed the title of his new book, 'Here's to Life, and all that jazz'.