For Lil Prucha, the hardest part of reaching the World Championships was not facing the world's best wheelchair rugby players. It was being unable to face them at all.
At 25, Prucha is part of a changing Australian Steelers set-up, with women carving out an increasingly prominent place in Australian wheelchair rugby.
Four women were selected in the 12-player World Championship squad, Prucha among them, for her tournament debut in SĂŁo Paulo, Brazil.
The championships were the first to be held in South America, bringing 12 nations together across 47 matches.
Then illness struck before the tournament began.
“It was definitely not the experience I had imagined. It was really difficult after working towards selection for so long, especially because I was physically in Brazil with my Australian teammates and with friends from other countries who I had been so excited to see and play against,” Prucha said.
“The first few days were definitely the hardest. I had to rest and focus on recovery while my teammates were taking the court.”
The mid-point debutant was assessed by medical professionals while overseas, with her World Championship appearance suddenly out of reach.
“But strong support from my parents, our program staff and all the messages of love and support helped me through it.”
Being denied the chance to pull on the green and gold tested Prucha’s resolve, but not her attachment to the sport that had taken her across the globe.
“People may not realise how strong and welcoming the wheelchair rugby community is,” she said.
“I love the chaos on court, but the culture is what keeps me coming back.”
That connection took a different meaning in Sao Paulo.
“It taught me that being part of a team isn’t always about getting the moments you imagined for yourself. Sometimes your role changes, and you have to find another way to contribute.”
Unable to take the court, Prucha experienced the tournament from a different perspective.
“I got to see how the team handles pressure and adversity, and I got to support my teammates and watch world-class wheelchair rugby.”
What she saw only sharpened her appetite for another chance on court.
“Seeing my teammates compete showed me how much I want to return and earn my place,” she said.
“It made me want it more.”
The Data and Analytics student knows what she is capable of when she gets the chance.
She proved herself a formidable mid-point player at last year’s Shibuya Cup in Tokyo, where she was named the tournament’s best.
Now a key defensive presence for the Bull Sharks, Prucha is ready to put her hunger to work on home soil.
“I want to keep improving and earn opportunities at the highest level, with Steelers selection and LA 2028 as clear goals.”
The immediate opportunity comes at the Gold Coast Classic, where Bond opens its Division 1 National League campaign against UQ on September 19 - the same side that defeated the Bull Sharks by eight points in last year’s final.
In a sport renowned for its full-contact collisions and end-to-end action, the rematch promises another physical showdown.
“Last year’s final adds motivation, but we can’t afford to dwell on it or assume this competition will play out the same way,” she said.
“We’ve changed and grown since then, both individually and as a group. Facing a strong UQ side will be a valuable early test, and we know they will make us work for every possession.”
As a 2.0F mid-point player, Prucha’s role is often defending space through screening, blocking and disrupting opponents.
“It’s extremely physical – you’re constantly accelerating, stopping, turning and changing direction while maintaining control of the chair,” she said.
“Strength and conditioning training help my shoulders and arms withstand repeated explosive efforts and absorb contact across a full game.”
For Prucha, consistency is what brings it all together.
“Repeating the basics well gives me something reliable to fall back on when a game becomes chaotic.”
Now, Prucha brings her experience back to the Sunshine State for three days of National League action at the Gold Coast Recreation Precinct.