FORMER Ipswich Boys Grammar student, Thomas Wheeler, is slamming his way to volleyball celebrity status thousands of kilometres away from his home city.
His proud parents in Flinders View have been tuned in to watch his on-court heroics each week with his games livestreamed from Canada.
Commentators have nicknamed him “Big Red from Ipswich” as he clocks up winning performances for his Northwestern Polytechnic College team in Grande Prairie, Canada.
Before heading over to Canada to complete a bachelor of primary education degree he represented his school, region, state and national teams as a junior volleyball player.
Speaking from his unit at Grande Prairie, Thomas said the ability for him to keep on playing volleyball at an important level and to continue his education was important to both himself and his parents.
“Having the chance to study abroad has been a life changing experience for me and I’m so glad I took on the challenge,” he said.
His college is also glad he made the decision because Thomas has been a standout for the school’s volleyball team.
“Earlier this month I managed to break the all-time kill blocks record, 273 so far, in the Alberta Colleges Athletics Conference of Canada,” he said proudly.
“This league has been operating for almost 60 years, so to break the record as an international player is special.”
Thomas hasn’t just performed on the court he has also shone in the classroom and has been recognised with an Academic Athletic Award for the past two years.
Thomas received a small scholarship to study at his current college, but a large chunk of his living allowance comes from working a part time job at the school during the year
Having the chance to study abroad has been a life changing experience for me and I’m so glad I took on the challenge.
In summer he also works as a full time groundsman mowing, watering and just generally taking care of the 60 acre campus.
His goals are to continue playing volleyball after college and to pursue a pro contract next year in Europe and play professional volleyball.
“My ultimate goal is to one day represent Australia at the Olympics,” he said.
“That said, I am pleased that I will have my degree in education to use in conjunction with playing or coaching volleyball.
“My volleyball career will end one day so to get my education simultaneously will allow me to have freedom and a profession to grow alongside my passion for the game.”
Thomas also wanted people in Ipswich to know that two other local athletes were currently making a name for themselves playing in Canada in the ACAC.
“Cooper Ward and Ethan Robinson both St Eddies Old Boys have been having spectacular seasons for Medicine Hat College’s basketball team,” he said.
