The Rock Central School’s Kindergarten class will be cheering for local Paralympian Aaron McCarthy ahead of his Paralympics debut this weekend. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The Rock Central School is throwing its support behind local sporting hero and Paralympian Aaron McCarthy ahead of his Paralympics debut this weekend.
Aaron was recently named as a member of the Australian team for the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games and will take to the slopes for the men’s banked slalom and the snowboard cross.
His first event is the SB-LL1 class snowboard cross (snowboarders with moderately affected movement in the knees or legs, or the absence of one leg above the knee or two legs below the knee), which will begin at 8:55 pm AEST on Saturday 7 March.
Aaron’s biggest supporters leading into the weekend are the students from The Rock Central School, who will be cheering on their hometown hero.
The school’s Kindergarten class, which Aaron’s son George is in, said they were excited to see someone from their hometown represent Australia.
“It’s very cool that he gets to snowboard for Australia,” student Felix said.
“We’re very excited and can’t wait to see him on the weekend.”
All the students at the Rock Central School will be cheering for Aaron this weekend. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Year 10 student Jackson Nixon said the entire town had thrown their support behind Aaron, and most people would be glued to their screens on Saturday and Sunday night.
“To have someone from your town compete at an event as big as the Paralympics is just wonderful,” he said.
“For it to be a sport like snowboarding is actually incredible. The closest snowfields we have are in Jindabyne, and that’s four hours away.
“To know his story and how he lost his leg and how he’s overcome that to now be at the Paralympics is incredible.
“We’re all really happy for him, and everyone will be watching him compete over the weekend.”
In preparation for the Paralympics, Aaron’s son George and his classmates have been learning about the sports at the Winter Games.
“When we found out that Aaron qualified, we began to look at his profile and how he made it to the Games,” Kindergarten teacher Honor Grimson said.
“We’ve been watching snowboarding clips as well as looking at the world globe and seeing how far away Italy is from Australia.
“Aaron has been really inspiring for the kids. He’s taken an accident that could have really defeated him and instead has turned it into something incredible.
“It’s been really exciting for George and his family. All of his friends have been really excited, and they’re really looking forward to seeing him compete.”
The men’s snowboard cross begins at 8:55 pm on Saturday 7 March. The Paralympics will be broadcast on Channel 9 and streamed on 9Now and Stan Sports.
