The 13-year-old from Manly-Warringah competed in two multi-class events at SOPAC on Saturday, placing first in both the 200m sprint (34.48) and long jump (3.32m).

The previous weekend, Love competed in the ANSW Open State Champs, where against adult opposers he secured a PB long jump distance of 3.67m.

Love’s mentor – respected sporting coach John Quinn with over 30 years experience – was the Sprints and Relay Coach for the Australian track and field team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

Quinn – who will be speaking at the LANSW Annual Conference in Penrith this July – has been working with Love for over 18 months and has enjoyed the privilege of developing his athletics.

“He’s a very articulate and intelligent young boy, and he’s able to take on board coaching queues quicker than the average young athlete,” said Quinn.

“In all the time that I’ve coached him, no matter what I ask him to do, he never shirks it – he never complains.”

Love is paralysed down his right side and deaf in his left ear – he was deprived of oxygen before birth, causing him to suffer a stroke.

Through the implementation of complex movement drills, Quinn hopes to improve Love’s coordination and strength as he continues evolving as an athlete.

“The training is definitely having a positive impact on his mechanics [and] movement process,” said Quinn.

“I’ve worked with a couple of disabled athletes in the past, but not cerebral palsy.

“It’s pretty challenging as a young kid having to deal with the cards he’s been dealt.”

Love has been adapting to the training program as a non-disabled athlete would – the teenager has become an integral part of Quinn’s athletics squad, a group that features multiple potential Olympians.

“[Love’s] a great asset to my squad,” said Quinn.

“I’ve got this young, 13-year-old boy that suffers from debilitating paraplegia, but he’ll be lining up against athletes that are likely going to be at the Olympics Games.

“I try to make the training as inclusive as possible – we involve him wherever possible.”

Love aspires to eventually become an Australian Paralympian, targeting the 2024 Paris Summer Games – Quinn believes this is achievable with continued support and dedication from close friends and family.

“[Love’s] just happy to go compete and be a part of a program where people aren’t focusing on his disability – they’re focusing on what this kid can do,” said Quinn.

“At the end of the day, the reason you coach is to bring out the best in the people that you work with and Jackson gives you everything he’s got – what a great coaching gig that is.”