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Alex McKinnon continues to inspire the Newcastle Knights with coach Rick Stone revealing he stood up on his own for the first time since suffering a devastating spinal injury in an NRL game last March.
The former Knights forward has returned to Newcastle following rehabilitation in Sydney after suffering the injury in a tackle which left the 22-year-old in a wheelchair.
“He’s just finished in his rehab and he actually stood up unabated the other day … he stood up on his own which is a terrific sort of step for Alex,” Stone said.
McKinnon has spoken of his desire to fully recover and one day walk again, and last July the NRL’s Rise For Alex round raised over $1.4 million towards that goal.
McKinnon will take on an active role at Newcastle this year, working alongside Stone, Knights director of football Michael Hagan and high performance coach Troy Pezet in recruitment.
Stone said McKinnon would begin his new position at the club on January 27 and will probably spend one day a week in the commercial area as well.
“That’s going to be a great opportunity for Alex to get his teeth into something he really loves, footy,” he told Sky Sports Radio.
“He’s inspiring young men and everyone in the club will be really happy to see him back.”
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