Sport
4 September, 2024
A wildcat story that defies all odds
MAREEBA’S David Eade will be eagerly watching the swimming events of the Paris Paralympic Games cheering on teammate, Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson, and others, as a hopeful future-Paralympian himself.
David has quite an impressive resume being a State and National level swimmer, an NQ Games Ambassador and a lifesaver, in more than one regard.
Despite being born with Foot Deformity, the now 24 year-old began swimming in the Learn to Swim class at the Mareeba pool when he was eight years old.
He then went on to compete at Nationals four times in his 13 years at the Mareeba Wildcats club, competing under the multi-class category in the able-bodied division.
He has always had an affinity for swimming and his years as a Wildcat only grew his love for the sport.
David now swims for Cairns Central Swimming Club and is already eyeing off the Nationals competition in April of 2025.
Although he now swims for a different club, David still trains in Mareeba through programs his longtime coach, June Cotter, sends to him from the Cairns club.
The NQ Games were held in Cairns from 3-6 May and saw David go on a winning streak, bringing home nine medals and ‘Swim of the Meet’, among other achievements.
David was also offered to be one of the Ambassadors for the Games alongside teammate and Paralympian, ‘Scooter’.
“I remember when I was little I just wanted to get in the water, I’ve always loved the water and it’s just fun,” David said.
“I got an email from the NQ Games this year asking if I would like to come as an Ambassador and I accepted their offer, and it was amazing. It was the best feeling ever knowing how far I’ve come, I never thought I’d be the Ambassador of the NQ Games.”
“I got to carry the flag and help out other athletes. I also came home with nine medals, ‘Swim of the Meet’, a trophy and about five out of nine PB’s.”
Though these are remarkable achievements, David’s journey has not been an easy one.
In March of 2021, David had to undergo surgery on his left foot due to pains he was experiencing in both feet while trying to do a simple daily task many people unknowingly take for granted, put on shoes.
After careful consideration, doctors decided to operate on his left foot to begin with, as this was the root of the majority of the pain he was experiencing.
“I had pain under my feet, I couldn’t wear shoes or thongs,” David said.
David was born with what is called Foot Deformity, which in his case affected his feet in such a way that his “ankles are turned out”. This has never diminished his spirit in any way, as he is able to function mostly normally and is always having a crack at whatever obstacles are in front of him. David’s only complaint is that he wishes he could “get out more often”.
“In the operation they fixed my ankle, they had to put screws in my foot to try and correct it. It took me out for about two years. A year without swimming and a very slow year after that getting back into the pool without being close to any of my PB’s.
“So I won’t be getting any more operations until my swimming days are over, I love it too much,” David said.
Now that David’s back in the pool and with 16 years of swimming experience behind him, he will be going to the Brisbane Aquatic Centre in December to compete in the State titles. More importantly however, his eyes are laser-focused on Nationals in April 2025, which will also be held at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre.
David has 11 events that he’s hoping to qualify for in the Nationals event and already has for four of them.
He is also now a registered lifeguard as well and one could say that his coach June inadvertently prepared him quite well for that role.
He and June have a very tight relationship after being a team for 16 years now, a part of the reason why they’re so close is because when David was only 13 he saved June’s life.
“I was walking past the pool and I saw June’s car out the front and I went inside because I wanted to talk to her about something. At the time she was training for a triathlon and as I was walking through the gate I saw her at the end of the pool starting to go under the water and I knew something was wrong.
“So I ran to the end of the pool where she was and I grabbed her hand and pulled her up and helped her get out of the pool. I’m just thankful I went in there that day, otherwise who knows what could have happened to her,” David said.
After being at the Mareeba club in its heyday, the Wildcat veteran now sees the rapid decline in public participation for the sport in Mareeba. However, reminiscing on his days as a Wildcat brought back some warm memories for him and he is grateful for the time he had there.
“I just have so many memories here as a Wildcat. Great coaches and great friends, it was a wonderful experience. It’s just sad that the club isn’t as big as it used to be,” David said.
“I would like to say thank you to both the Mareeba club and my coach June Cotter, without all of their support I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
