There are some familiar faces in Survivor Australia this year
THE first seven competitors taking part in the Champions vs Contenders series have been revealed — and it includes some people you might recognise.
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THERE’S something a little different about Survivor Australia this year.
The first seven competitors taking part in the Champions vs Contenders series have been revealed after a teaser trailer debuted on Channel 10 last night — and it includes some familiar faces.
The third season features “champions of public life” competing against everyday Aussies for the chance to take home $500,000.
Take a look at the first seven contestants who will be undertaking TV’s toughest reality show — four champions and three contenders.
CHAMPIONS:
Mat R, Dual Code Rugby International
42, Queensland
After a huge career representing Queensland, the Kangaroos and the Wallabies, Mat finished back with NRL playing with the Gold Coast Titans.
Retiring in 2011, Mat stepped away from the game to concentrate on his other love — being a dad and starting his own charity that helps kids with autism, a disease that his son suffers from. Mat and his wife, model Chloe Maxwell, founded 4 ASD Kids in 2009 which raises money to sponsor kids affected by autism.
Wanting to stay true to his word and be a team player, Mat knows that the island will bring out his competitive edge saying, “It’s called Survivor and that’s what I’m there for. I’m there to survive and I want to win. It won’t be easy for me to break alliances or not tell everyone the truth but I’m going to try.”
Moana, AFLW Marquee Player
30, Victoria
A celebrated and powerhouse player for Women’s Aussie rules Football since she was 16, Moana is a leading goal kicker for her Collingwood team.
She has been one of the top women’s players since 16 and got into football after her father fell ill when she was 10. Dropping out of school, she wanted to look after him and turned to football as an outlet.
One of 14 kids, Moana’s family means everything to her. She is the primary carer for her younger sister, Lavinia, who suffers from Moebius Syndrome, a rare neurological condition.
“It’s going to be a wild time and I just really want to do it for my family and friends to show them they can do anything.”
Damien, Former Special Forces Commando
36, New South Wales
If there has ever been anyone able to be labelled a Survivor, it’s Damien. A former commando in the army, he is now an athlete and best-selling author.
Joining the Australian Defence Force at just 24, Damien qualified as an elite commando and fought in Afghanistan. In 2009, his vehicle drove over an improvised explosive planted by the Taliban causing Damien to lose both of his legs. The explosion caused extensive damage to his body that resulted in both his legs being amputated.
“I now get around on two special prosthetic legs but the recovery from the injury was very hard. I’m stubborn and tough but it has made me refocus on what I want to do with my life. My life post-injury is one of constant focus on my physical and mental health.”
Since recovering from his injury, Damien competed in two Invictus Games in wheelchair basketball. He has also walked the Kokoda Track and competed in numerous sporting competitions. He even took up para snowboarding nearly qualifying for the 2014 Olympic Games. Damien has also written his best-selling biography and appeared in the war film, Hacksaw Ridge.
Shane, Swimming World Record Holder
61, Tasmania
An Australian legend in the swimming pool and the eldest competitor in Survivor, Shane is sporting royalty and one of the world’s greatest female swimmers.
Between 1971 and 1973, she broke 11 world records in six different events. In the 1972 Olympics, Shane was and is still the only woman ever to win five individual medals — three in total, all in world record times plus a silver and a bronze.
In 1972, Shane held all the Freestyle World Records from 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 200m, which to date is unmatched.
“Just because I’m in the Champions tribe doesn’t mean I am safe. I’m probably older than the rest but that won’t stop me. I’ve been through tough times and lived to tell the tale. That’s how I live my life and that’s how I’m going to finish on Survivor.”
CONTENDERS:
Jenna, FIFO Supervisor
28, Western Australia
No stranger to adversity, Jenna says she’ll fight hard to win the title of sole survivor. Not only for her but for her two-year-old daughter and won’t accept no for an answer.
A fighter in every sense, Jenna has had to overcome stigma for being gay but has found the bad makes her stronger and more able to deal with challenges. She also finds that any tough time she faces, she knows she can take it on for her daughter.
An experienced NFL and AFL player, Jenna is a typical outdoors girl tearing around the bush on her motorbike or wakeboarding.
“I’m extremely competitive but pride myself in playing a fair game. I want to be the new Jericho this year. The nice, quiet one who gets along with everybody. I’d be perceived as friendly, honest and competitive. And yes, I’d keep the cookies for myself as well!”
Robbie, Construction Manager
25, South Australia
Competitive and calculated, Rob is a construction manager who is planning to be a challenge winner for his tribe.
“I want to be the guy they need. I can win challenges for them, I can provide for them. I think I can use my charm and trusting character to get people to follow my decisions and my athletic ability to keep me safe for a while.
Robbie was a competitive swimmer training up to 11 times a week and now hits the gym five times a week plus plays squash and indoor soccer.
“I want to be a team player that will do anything to help out. I want people to feel like I deserve to be there because I bent over backwards to help people in the game.”
Tegan, Management Consulting
32, Western Australia
A country girl from WA, Tegan is confident and outspoken and as she calls it, “a little rough around the edges.”
Married with two small children, Tegan is an indigenous woman, she works closely with charities and took part in the indigenous Marathon squad led by Rob De Castella.
“I often get told there isn’t really anyone like me. I’ve had a very unique upbringing and find that I get along with most people. I’ve had to deal with a lot of stereotyping over my life and I always try and break the mould.”
“I want to win the money to set my family up long term and I want to show Australia what so many of my family members and friends know about Aboriginal Australia.”