Ex-Renegades Star Josie Dooley Eyes Para Athletics Glory After Comeback from Near-Fatal Stroke
Former Melbourne Renegades star Josie Dooley has discovered a new purpose in para athletics after a near-fatal stroke abruptly ended her professional cricket career. Nearly two years after the life-altering event, a transformed and grateful Dooley is set to compete at the Queensland athletics championships this weekend, marking a significant step in her journey toward becoming a world-class para thrower.
A Life Turned Upside Down
Dooley's world was shattered when a benign brain tumor led to hydrocephalus, causing a buildup of spinal fluid that resulted in a massive stroke while she was on a dream surfing holiday in Hawaii with her partner in April 2024. Initially mistaking it for a severe migraine, the situation quickly escalated, leaving her fighting for her life. She spent 18 days in an ICU in Honolulu before being airlifted home by Life Flight, totaling 93 days in hospital as she relearned basic functions like talking and walking.
The stroke left Dooley with impairments on her left side, including poor coordination and fine motor skills, as well as involuntary rapid eye movements due to ongoing neurological issues. For someone whose identity was deeply tied to being a professional cricketer—having secured her first contract while still in Year 12—this was a devastating blow. Her mother even took photos of nutrient mix batch numbers during her hospital stay, anticipating future drug tests, highlighting how ingrained her athletic identity was.
A New Challenge in Para Athletics
Despite the challenges, Dooley's competitive spirit has been reignited through para athletics. After participating in a come-and-try day, she was offered a scholarship with the Queensland Academy of Sport's para unit as a thrower. In her first competitive shot put event, she recorded a distance that would have earned bronze at the last world championships, and she has since improved that mark by over 20cm in training.
This weekend, she will compete at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC), continuing her push toward the world championships next year, as her F37 classification is not included in this year's Commonwealth Games. Dooley has also taken up table tennis, leveraging the timing and coordination from her cricket batting days and muscle memory from her junior tennis background, with sport playing a crucial role in her rehabilitation.
Overcoming Identity and Recovery Struggles
Dooley admits that adjusting to life after the stroke was difficult, especially transitioning from cricket to para sport. She struggled to comprehend the sudden change, feeling as if she were in a dream during her time in Hawaii. However, support from family, friends, medical professionals, the Renegades community—who kept her involved as they won a WBBL title—and the para sport movement has helped her forge a new identity.
She reflects that while she has lost physical capabilities, she has gained empathy and gratitude, meeting inspiring people in support groups who put her own story into perspective. Cricket remained part of her recovery, with a bat brought into her rehabilitation facility in Brisbane, and she even had a brief stint with her former Adelaide club team last year. However, she has accepted that a professional cricket career is no longer feasible due to vision issues that make it unsafe.
Looking Ahead to Future Goals
Dooley's short-term goals include competing at the next world athletics championships and the LA Paralympics, but she is also driven by the prospect of a home Games in Brisbane in 2032. Born and bred in Queensland, she has relocated to Brisbane to be closer to family post-accident. With her determination and progress, it would be unwise to rule out the possibility of seeing her as a dual-sport representative in the future.
Her journey from a near-fatal stroke to aspiring Paralympian showcases resilience and transformation, proving that even in the face of adversity, new paths to glory can emerge.
