Article Highlights
- Australian Paralympians honoured Matthew Robinson at Milano Cortina 2026
- “I ride with Matty” patch symbolises legacy and unity
- Robinson’s influence continues to shape Para snowboarding
- Matthew Robinson Scholarship supports emerging athletes
- Support networks play a key role in achieving goals
We witnessed the intention in their movement, the determination in their body placement and the pride on their faces, the culmination of years of sacrifice, training, progress and setbacks.
Yet what many may not have realised was that alongside that sense of achievement, each of the Aussie team’s 14 athletes, including two sighted guides, also carried a shared promise stitched into the lapel of their opening ceremony blazer.
Small in size but mighty in meaning, the patch that states “I ride with Matty” is a tribute to Para snowboard pioneer Matthew Robinson, and to his legacy that continues to shape Australian winter sport more than a decade after his passing.
A lasting journey
The tradition was established in 2014 when Robinson suffered severe injuries while competing at a World Cup event in La Molina, Spain. Days later, on February 21, Robinson died from complications arising from the fall, leaving a gaping hole in the Australian winter sport community.
The loss was felt by all, but few more than fellow snowboarder and Australia’s youngest ever Winter Paralympian Ben Tudhope, for whom Milano Cortina 2026 marked his fourth Para Games appearance.
According to Paralympics Australia, Tudhope was just 14 and preparing to compete at the Sochi 2014 Paralympics when his “big-brother” Robinson suffered his traumatic injuries. At the time of his death, he was leading the IPC World Cup Snowboard rankings.
After eight days in hospital in Barcelona, Robinson was cleared to be transported by Air Ambulance to Melbourne. Tragically, during a refuelling stop in Kuwait, he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest.
Supporting the next generation
In an earlier interview with Paralympics Australia staff, Tudhope noted that he was just 10 years old when he first met Robinson.
“It was at that crucial stage of my development, and I definitely learned a lot off him,” Tudhope told the sporting organisation.
“He was that role model who really took me to the top level of the sport. To ride in his name and to honour him as much as I can is truly special to me. I ride in his legacy now and he would want me to do this and do the best that I can. I love him terribly. I love him and I love everything about him, so it’s great to live in his name. Every day, I do ride for Matty.”
What it means to the Australian Paralympic community
In the years since Robinson’s death, the Australian Paralympic community has worked alongside Robinson’s family to continue to honour his life in meaningful ways.
In 2019, the Matthew Robinson Scholarship was launched to help emerging Australian Para athletes offset some of the costs of participating in winter sport, including travel, equipment, training camps and coaching. The scholarship is designed to help fast-track an athlete who has potential to compete at an elite level.
Milano Cortina 2026 marked the 50th anniversary of the Paralympic Winter Games. Australia was just one of 50 nations competing across six sports including Para Biathlon, Para Cross Country, Para Snowboard, Para Alpine Skiing, Para Ice Hockey and Wheelchair Curling.
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