Cygnet players and supporters embrace Ryan Wiggins on return to club

Teammates of former Cygnet footy star Ryan Wiggins - who suffered a devastating spinal injury last year - have embraced him during an emotional reunion.

IT was a team song like no other.

Fresh from a hard-fought win, covered in mud and with their arms on one another’s shoulders, players from Cygnet’s SFL side stood around former teammate Ryan Wiggins to roar a victory celebration.

Mr Wiggins, seated in a wheelchair – the legacy of a devastating off-field spinal injury in July last year – was back in the embrace of his football mates.

And among players and supporters, there was barely a dry eye in the room.

Cygnet Football Club turned on a special event for its last home game of the season.

Ryan Wiggins joins his team mates for the first time since his accident to sing the Cygnet Football Club song after a home win. Picture: Linda Higginson

The grinding 11-point win over Dodges Ferry highlighted an emotional day at which Mr Wiggins and his family met volunteers, suppliers and supporters who have supported the injured 26-year-old in his rehabilitation and also working to build a house in Cygnet for his benefit.

Mr Wiggins told the Sunday Tasmanian how much he appreciated the support.

“I keep in regular contact with the club and a close eye on the house project. I’m looking forward to thanking people personally for their involvement,” he said.

“It’s extremely overwhelming how the Cygnet Football Club and the community have got behind me. I will be forever grateful.”

Mr Wiggins survived a C2 fracture to his spinal cord in a non-football-related incident last year, which left him a quadriplegic.

Ryan Wiggins thanks the crowd that have helped in building the house that will be sold to raise funds for him and his family. Picture: Linda Higginson

His football club established a working group to oversee the construction of a home, which they plan to sell later this year as a house and land package. The proceeds from the Ryan Wiggins #11 Project will be donated to Mr Wiggins.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house under construction is now to lockup stage, with the internal fit-out to start soon.

Project co-ordinator Jamie Synnott said all things going well, the property could go to market in November, perhaps sooner.

“Right from the start, we have had an overwhelming response from suppliers, from tradies and from volunteers, to such an extent that through everything that has been donated, we expect to be able to make a substantial contribution to Ryan to assist him in his recovery and his rehabilitation,” Mr Synnott said.

Ryan Wiggins joins his team mates for the first time since his accident to sing the Cygnet Football Club song after a home win. Picture: Linda Higginson

He said the Ryan Wiggins appeal had transcended football rivalries, with members of traditional rivals Huonville Lions key among the volunteers and contributors to Ryan’s cause.

“The support has been amazing, and some of that is coming from supporters and volunteers who have never met Ryan and his family, but they have just been so moved to get behind this and do what they can.”

Mr Wiggins said he had recently spent 11 weeks on the Gold Coast at a rehabilitation centre.

“I spent two hours a day, five days a week (there). I regained a lot of upper body strength which has also helped me mentally. I have been lucky enough to continue on in Hobart doing a similar program to which I was doing in Queensland.

“I have been so fortunate for all the support and donations I have received. My main aim is to help find a cure and raise awareness for paralysis.”