Amber J. Merritt

On Saturday’s we talk Leadership, Culture, and the importance of Mental Wellbeing ✨
Such an honour to have been asked to co-present with for basketball squads, on topics that are at the core of success for teams and individual athletic performance.
Drawing on our lived experiences, as well as tapping into professional research, this was a great way to inspire, and educate 📚

Entering Blair Waldorf era 💁🏼‍♀️

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 ☀️

Class acts with class people 💕
What an incredible trip it was alongside the WA Sand Gropers Wheelchair AFL team.
Even though we went down in the granny, to a well executed, tough Vic Metro, I’m so so proud of this group of humans!
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of something different, for the patience and for one of the best trips full of beautiful memories.
Watch this space because these legends are on to something nothing short of incredible!
✨
The league is still going strong here in WA, so if you want to watch, or get involved, come down on a Sunday to HBF Stadium to see what it’s all about 💕🏉
How good is footy! A

What an absolute shock and honour to be recognised in the 2023 All-Australian Team, at this years Wheelchair AFL National Championships.
On top of this to be awarded the ADF Spirit of the Championships Award, was incredibly humbling and something I will cherish.

I’m so proud of our West Aussie Sandgropers, and cannot wait for one last game here in Melbourne all together tomorrow, as we take on Vic Metro in the Grand Final!
It’s going to be tight, so you won’t want to miss it! Tune in to Kayo Freebies at 12pm AWST to check it out ✨💕✨

How Good Is Footy?

🤠 yee-haw

Considering I’d only ever sat through one game of Footy (this years grandy), and played a couple of games for funsies, you could imagine my surprise when I went from being the team WAG playing and supporting her partner, to Teammate on the WA side for this years Toyota Wheelchair AFL Nationals.
The energy is high, and the smile cannot be wiped off my face.
What a team, what a time 🖤💛

How good is footy 😉😃

Same same but kinda different 🏉

Another lap around the sun, another year to celebrate the ray of sunshine that is you 🥰 Happy Birthday .sabss x
I love you x

Few people have as big an impact on the community of wheelchair basketball as you did Murray Treseder 💕
Thankyou for taking a leap of faith on 15 year old
Amber, for holding her accountable and for instilling a strong work ethic always pushing for more.
You have had a profound impact, and I guarantee everyone within our community could tell a story about you, the ways you helped them, or the conversations you’ve had.
You helped progress this sport worldwide, which we are beyond greatful for.
May your memory live on through the passion of sport felt by all of those within it 🕊️🤍 Rest Easy Murray. Thank you 🤍🙏🕊️

We love love 💕
Congratulations and .mrown, we love you so much!
Hearts are certainly full from such a beautiful night x