Here is a slightly edited version of the very nice wedding day speech by best man Will Van Asperen (Jeremy's brother). Reprinted with permission.

Donna and Jeremy met in 2003 through the NSW Wheelchair Sports Association. She: the slender, athletic, slightly shy, newly appointed secretary; he: the new strapping, muscle-hugging-singlet-wearing addition to the board of directors. Their first date was to the temporary Heineken Bar at Homebush Bay to watch the opening ceremony of the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup.

Donna [went on to manage] the Wenty Leagues WheelKings basketball side which Jeremy played for; their flowering friendships with the “wheelies” taught them to (for lack of a better turn of phrase) loosen their inhibitions.

In 2005, Jeremy and Donna moved out together to Homebush Bay, to a newly built apartment, furnished with all the modern trimmings and techno-gadgets and mispronounced kitchen schemes. They purchased a cockatiel together and named it Maverick [and] in 2007, Piper, their dog, burst into their lives. She brought love and affection, awoke dormant but disciplined maternal and paternal instincts, and confirmed an ever present pedigree lifestyle for the couple.

On the 29th of September [2007], in Jeremy’s warped sense of romanticism, he placed a deposit on an engagement ring, then arrived at Donna’s door on bended knee with a miniature bottle of champagne and a packet of Burger Rings. The rest is now.

In all, they are a well-to-do couple. They make weighed, well informed, carefully balanced decisions. They love good food and look after their bodies. Their idea of an ideal night is dinner with the family or watching a stream of movies rugged up on the couch. Their style is chic and smart, but it seems they much prefer Addidas track pants and Kathmandu parkers. And their shared passion is sport.

The stars seem to have aligned back in 2003. At the time, Jeremy, having lost a near certain sporting career in Water Polo because of cancer, was now a renowned upstart in the world of Wheelchair Basketball and on the cusp of beginning a Medical degree. Donna too, forced not to pursue her talents in Tennis thanks to the forces of nature, was soon to undertake her Masters in Commerce Marketing. In this, the two share something very special: the wisdom which comes from having a potentially life-defining passion stolen away by nature’s course, and the sporting competitiveness and versatility to strike back at life by another means.

Naturally, some might be wary of two fiercely competitive people entering into a relationship, but, Jeremy and Donna exhaust their competitive drive on the court and always play by the rules. Jeremy knows the penalty for blocking or creeping offside. Donna appreciates the occasional entitlement to a second serve. When it comes to decision-making about homewares, both play it straight down the line. And, when it comes to economic investment (perhaps especially in times like this), both know the importance of gunning for the rebound. They are team players, and, together, they will reap rewards of their gamesmanship.

All are very proud of both of them, and, as someone whose coming of age has coincided with the growth of their relationship, I am incredibly flattered and thankful for being asked to introduce them today. Jeremy and Donna – congratulations.