Austin Hunter is a sportsman, at the age of 12 he was attending the Chelsea academy as a goalkeeper, he was the leading run scorer and wicket taker in the league for his village cricket team, he was running out at Twickenham and putting a drop goal over the posts for Old Reigatians and on the hockey field he led his team at Reigate Priory to a Tier 1 tournament win, the first for the club. He also became the youngest ever goal scorer for Reigate Priory, in the mens' sides, when he made is adult debut 3 days after his 12th birthday.

Before his 13th birthday he contracted a blood infection. This gave rise to a very serious septic shock, he spent 3 months in intensive care, 8 months in hospital and survived. On this journey he had to sacrifice both of his lower legs. His final amputation was at the end of February 2025.

Two months later, in April, he sat in a rowing boat, over at Guildford Rowing club and began his sporting comeback. Since then he now participates in wheelchair tennis, winning the South East U14 open wheelchair tournament, hosted by the LTA and is up on his new prosthetic legs, playing golf, on a handicap of 14. He swims, he shoots and he rock climbs, whatever is put in front of him, he takes it on. He just does things differently now. This year his goals are to be put onto the national player pathway by the LTA and compete, on blades, at cricket and athletics.

Throughout all of this, the most remarkable element is his mindset. His determination, his positivity and his sheer willingness to compete.

This is what makes him inspirational.

@austinpowers24