PORT ADELAIDE premiership player Darryl Wakelin and a host of Port personalities will be participating in a special exhibition game as part of the Invacare 2019 Wheelchair Aussie Rules National Carnival.

Wakelin, along with George Fiacchi, Brian Leys and Tom Carr will all be involved in the ‘Legends of Port Adelaide v Legends of SANFL’ match on Saturday 13 April during the three-day event.

Disability Sports Australia, in conjunction with the AFL, Port Adelaide Football Club and the Australian Defence Force are hosting the carnival in South Australia for the first time - at the St Claire Recreation Centre in Woodville.

AFL Inclusion Manager Logan Whitaker said the carnival provides a great opportunity for more people to access Australian football.

“The AFL is excited to welcome back another year of the Wheelchair Aussie Rules National Carnival which promises to produce another terrific year of competition,” he said.

“Football is for everyone, and the Wheelchair Aussie Rules National Carnival is a terrific example of how more people can get involved in our game, regardless of their ability.”

Disability Sport Australia CEO Jenni Cole said the 2019 event was a giant step forward for the sport.

“Wheelchair Aussie Rules is growing at a rapid rate so it’s really exciting for the future of the sport,” she said.  

“We are delighted to have the support of Invacare, who have come on as the Naming Rights Partner for the carnival, ensuring the experience for athletes, spectators and the entire Wheelchair Aussie Rules community will be greatly enhanced.

“We are hopeful that the 2019 Invacare Wheelchair Aussie Rules National Carnival will prove the perfect event to capitalise on the recent growth of the sport and see some of the other states get involved as we look towards 2020.”

Five teams will take to the court in the fourth annual Wheelchair Aussie Rules National Carnival, including representative sides from South Australia, Victoria, RSL Active and the Australian Defence Force.

South Australia have won the first three championships in the carnival’s short existence, and will be looking to make it four when it hosts for the first time.

The Invacare 2019 Wheelchair Aussie Rules National Carnival will be held in Adelaide from Thursday 11 April to Saturday 13 April.