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She’s into video games, art and hanging out with her pet pigeon.
She studies data analytics and sports analysis and makes music you can listen to on Spotify.
Now, Lilliana Prucha is set to play for the Steelers Australian wheelchair rugby team at her first Canada Cup.
Congratulations on your selection to the Steelers for the Canada Cup. What are your personal goals for the tour?
“Thank you! I’m so excited and am really looking forward to it! My personal goals for Canada Cup are really around growing in self-confidence, knowing that I’ve worked hard and that I do belong on team.
“In terms of performance, I want to be a defensive weapon and really control the space on court. I’ve been working hard on my tactical knowledge and Canada Cup is a great opportunity to see where I’m at and what the next steps for improving my game are.
“One of my focuses is being able to play the way I want to play under international pressure. Playing at this level is still quite new to me and learning how to navigate it can be challenging and I’m very lucky and grateful to have a supportive team around me.”
You’ve mentioned previously that the coaching you’ve received has helped add a new dimension to your game. Can you explain what you meant by that? How has your game developed since coming into the Australian team?
“At the beginning of 2025, I made the decision to move to the Gold Coast from Perth and join Wheelchair Rugby Australia’s Queensland program at the Queensland Academy of Sport led by [former Steelers player] Ben Newton. Getting to train with the best of the best, three times a week, has been amazing! It’s a lot of hard work, but I think I’vemade a lot of good progress.
“We have structured intentional training sessions, there’s always experienced players around to learn from and ask questions, and it’s just a great environment that I love being a part of.
“I’d say the biggest improvement to my game since moving has been the ability to play more instinctively, my tactical knowledge and game awareness have grown a lot and from this I think that I’m starting to make smarter decisions on court.”
You’ve also mentioned the inspiration you’ve received from fellow Steelers players including Robyn Lambird, Shae Graham and Ella Sabljak. How important has it been for you to see women making a name for themselves in wheelchair rugby like they have?
“I absolutely love getting around all the girls! I love that I’m my daily training environment I get to hang out with Ella Sabljak and Emilie Miller, and that when we go on trips I also get to catch up with Shae Graham and Robyn Lambird.
“I’d say that for myself, it’s been really important seeing other women in this sport and how they navigate the male dominated environment.”
What do you love about wheelchair rugby? How has wheelchair rugby helped you personally?
“I love that it’s full contact and fast paced! Physically and mentally, it pushes me, there’s nothing quite like it. But honestly what I love most is the culture.
“Wheelchair rugby gave me community at a point in my life when I really needed it. It’s given me direction; it’s taken me places I never imagined and it’s introduced me to some of the most incredible people who I’m lucky enough to call my friends now.
“It has also helped me understand myself better and grow as a person in every aspect of my life. This sport has made me resilient in ways that go well beyond the court.”
How has the move to the Gold Coast helped your rugby and life in general? What are you studying at uni?
“Moving to the Gold Coast by myself was scary, but it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made. Aside from rugby, another reason I moved to the Gold Coast was for university. I’m incredibly lucky to have been awarded the John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship at Bond University. I’m studying a Bachelor of Data Analytics with a minor in Sports Analysis, which I’m absolutely loving.
“It feels like the perfect combination with rugby. I’m quite interested in how data and technology are changing the way we understand athletic performance, and I’d love to eventually apply that within the sport. Bond has been really supportive of my athletic commitments which makes juggling everything a lot more manageable.”
What do you do outside of wheelchair rugby? What makes you tick? Does music fall into this category?
“Outside of playing rugby and studying, I coach junior wheelchair rugby players on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane. There’s something really special about watching the kids discover this sport and the community that it brings with it as well as seeing their skills and love of the game develop.
“I think what really makes me tick is purpose. I like feeling like what I’m doing matters, whether that’s on the court, in the classroom, or with the kids I coach.
“When I have some free time, I really enjoy playing video games, drawing, painting, gardening, hanging out with my pet pigeon Goose and making music. I’ve been into music my whole life and creating my own since I was about 13. I make music under my artist name ‘gremmybabe’. It’s been a really great way to express myself and process my feelings in a healthy way.”
What would it mean to you to represent Australia at the Paralympics in 2028?
“Representing Australia at the 2028 Paralympics would be an incredible experience and one that I’m working very hard to achieve. Wearing the green and gold, playing at the highest level alongside my teammates, my family and friends watching and cheering me on, would really show me that I can do it.
“I can do hard things. I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I’ve heard from my teammates who have been [to the Paralympics] how amazing the experience was for themand I truly hope I can experience that one day too.”
The Canada Cup takes place from June 4-7.
Participating teams: Canada, Australia, Brazil, France, Great Britain and Japan.
Schedule here – Schedules & Results | Canada Cup Wheelchair Rugby
By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.
Published 2 June, 2026.
