Eliza Stankovic

Days before her sixteenth birthday, Eliza was suddenly struck down with the deadly meningococcal septicaemia virus. Eliza survived against the odds however the virus claimed the amputation of both legs below the knee, as well as amputations to some fingers.

Determined not to let her disability rule her life, Eliza was keen to continue her love of sport. She started to run on sprint prosthetics however, after three years, stump deterioration caused a premature end to ambulant running, so Eliza looked for an alternative.

Eliza was discovered at a wheelchair racing “come n’ try day” and with her natural talent for the sport, sheer determination and commitment, she quickly become a real threat on the international wheelchair-racing scene. Eighteen months after her first lap of the track in a racing chair, Eliza was representing her country and winning medals at the 2002 IPC World Athletics Championships and 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Since her international debut, Eliza has raced all over the world, including the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, and she has won numerous world class events.

Away from the track, Eliza loves her work as a teacher’s assistant at St Leonards College Early Learning Centre. She is also a spokesperson for the Meningococcal Foundation, helps out with coaching at Come �n Try Days for wheelchair sport and undertakes speaking engagements inspiring school children, community groups and corporate bodies.