Chris Henderson is a proud disability and mental health advocate, who aims to be the vehicle for young people with disabilities and chronic illnesses to imagine and pursue what is possible. Chris is the Captain of the Richmond Football Club, where he led their Wheelchair AFL team to win the Premiership in 2022, in addition to competing in the Australian Men's Para Beach Volleyball team in the World Championships in the USA in November 2022.
 
Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in October 2017, Chris' world drastically changed. After 14 months getting an effective management plan in place, his wife insisted he try out for wheelchair AFL at the 'come and try' drafting day where he was selected by Richmond, and his journey in wheelchair sports began. Chris describes himself as being 'terrible initially in a chair', but after 4-5 months he got his chance. Coming into the league in round 4, he came on at half time and scored 7 goals to almost catch Collingwood. Chris played every game since, never losing a game that season and going on to win the Premiership. At the end of the season Chris was awarded the club's 'Best and Fairest' Award, the League's 'Best and Fairest' Award and the Medal for 'Best on Ground in Grand Final' and a Premiership Medal.

In 2020, Chris was appointed Captain, and in 2022 his team were successful again in winning the Premiership. Chris was then selected as Captain for the Victorian Team and they went through to the National Carnival as undefeated Champions. 

In November 2022, when Chris was selected as part of the Australian Men's Para Beach Volleyball Team to compete in the USA, his team finished fourth in the international tournament. 
 
Through Chris' lived experience of disability, and as a successful athlete, he has become an experienced and sought-after speaker - with his presentations well received by a range of audiences as he speaks from his heart. He has especially loved the opportunities he has had to speak in schools and encourage young people to pursue their dreams despite adversity or disability. 

With insights into mental health, especially post-diagnosis, Chris wants to use his platform to break down stigma and promote conversations on men's mental health.
 
Chris has featured in a Colgate Ad 'Smile Strong with VWFL' (Victorian Wheelchair Football League) alongside Luke Hodge in 2020, during the AFL finals campaign. Alongside several other AFLW stars, Chris also starred in a new app 'Footy Skills Lab' to teach kids how to play wheelchair AFL in a collaboration between Google and the AFL.  

Chris is passionate about bringing positive change to people's lives and communities in whatever way possible, whether that be speaking, working with organisations, creation of new products and services or consultancy.  He wants to open opportunities for young people who through various circumstances find themselves with a disability so they can see what can be achieved - someone once told me kids can't believe it unless they can see it.