Ex-Wallabies coach and former Sunshine Coast councillor John Connolly to make tilt for council

From a rugby player and Wallabies coach to being wheelchair-bound for life, John Connolly has vowed to be a staunch advocate for people living with disabilities as he launches a second tilt at public life by taking on Joe Natoli for his seat.

Former Sunshine Coast councillor and Wallabies coach John Connolly fell 2m at his father Jack's house in 2021. He broke his neck and has no feeling below his chest and is now in a wheelchair. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Ex-Wallabies coach and former Sunshine Coast councillor John ‘Knuckles’ Connolly has launched his bid to return to council, with the wheelchair-bound candidate vowing to staunchly advocate for people living with disabilities.

In announcing his candidacy for Division 4 at the Local Government elections in March, Mr Connolly said he wants to be a source of inspiration for people living with a disability.

“I’m as eager as ever to leverage my expertise to really enhance the region’s prosperity and quality of life,” Mr Connolly said.

“Just because you’ve got a disability, it doesn’t preclude you from anything.

“I want people to see me and say, ‘this guy’s been successful, I can be successful too’.”

Former Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock speaks with then coach John Connolly during an Australia training session at Coogee Oval in Sydney.

Prior to his council career, Mr Connolly coached the Wallabies in 25 Test matches, including the 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign, collecting 16 wins, to be the third most successful national men’s coach based on win percentage.

After his retirement as a rugby union coach, he was elected to the Sunshine Coast Council, serving Division 4 between 2016 and 2020.

John Connolly is hoping to serve as councillor again for Division 4.

His achievements in that time included overseeing the commencement of the multi-deck Brisbane Rd car park at Mooloolaba, delivery of $65m in road improvements, securing $12m for the Mooloolaba bridge and a $6.5m revamp of the Mooloolaba caravan park.

His previous local government tenure came to an end, when he made an unsuccessful tilt for Maroochydore at the 2020 Queensland state election, leading to incumbent councillor Joe Natoli being elected to Division 4.

The following year, Mr Connolly had a freak accident that saw him break his neck after falling 2m at his father’s home in Brisbane.

“I was at my father’s place, I tumbled over a wall, I broke my neck and my arm before spending 12 months in hospital,” Mr Connolly said.

“I can tell you one thing that’s not fun, breaking your neck, it hurts like hell.”

Former Wallabies coach and ex-Sunshine Coast councillor John Connolly suffered serious spinal injuries after a fall in 2021.

The accident saw Mr Connolly face the biggest challenge of his life, after having lived a very active life as a rugby player, before coaching the likes of the Queensland Reds, Wallabies, Stade Francais, and Swansea Rugby Football Club.

He said the setback saw him face a battle to keep a positive mindset.

“I spent a lot of time in my own mind and my attitude has always been to always look forward and move onto the next thing.

“You can’t spend any time looking backwards.”

Following his recovery and settling into a new normal, Mr Connolly believes he is ready to return to council and that he can make a difference.

Mr Connolly has no feeling below his chest and is now in a wheelchair. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of groups and people and I’m encouraged to have a go at things,” he said.

“A lot of people have said of course and you can still do it, you can still do the job.”

His changed life path has seen him become a staunch advocate for people living with disabilities and he has vowed to passionately represent them, if elected to council.

“I am very keen to ensure that people living with a disability get a fair go,” he said.

“I want more disabled and aged care parking spaces, I want to get those scooters off footpaths, I want to make sure we have better services and a high standard of living.

“Council has a percentage of people employed that have a disability and I am very keen to drive that forward.”

The 2024 local government election will be held on Saturday, March 16.