For the first time, the Organising Committee of a Rugby World Cup will integrate the organisation of the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup, after being appointed by World Wheelchair Rugby, the sport’s governing body.
Conscious of its social and environmental responsibilities, France 2023 wants to shift lines and organise an event with a positive impact for rugby, for society and for the planet. The France 2023 Organising Committee has a strong willingness to make Rugby World Cup France 2023 an event for all those involved in the broader rugby community.
The International Wheelchair Rugby Cup will take place between the quarter-finals and the semi-finals of Rugby World Cup France 2023, from 14 October to 21 October, in a location which will be announced soon.
This competition will reunited the eight best world-ranked nations, including France, in its position of host nation.
Organising this tournament during Rugby World Cup France 2023 is an opportunity to shine a light on some of rugby’s core values : diversity and equal opportunities, in a competition with mixed-gender teams.
This tournament will be organised by France 2023 with unprecedented standards of excellency, which will contribute to wheelchair ruby long-term growth, both in France and throughout the world.
As a symbol of this new collaboration, the pool draw for the upcoming Wheelchair Rugby European Championships will take place during the presentation of France 2023’s SCR strategy in Paris on December 7. The Wheelchair Rugby European Championships will be held in February 2022, in Paris.
Claude ATCHER (CEO of France 2023) : The France 2023 Organising Committee is proud and eager to organise this unique event: the International Rugby Wheelchair Cup. We want to give to this competition the visibility that it deserves and share the essential values that it carries: diversity, resilience, equality for all.
Richard ALLCROFT (President of World Wheelchair Rugby) : I would like to thank France 2023 in developing a partnership that will see the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup feature alongside the Rugby World Cup in France. It is an exciting time for the French people as they will look forward to many great events taking place over the next three years. I know that they will enjoy the fierce and competitive sport of wheelchair rugby and I would recommend to anyone that hasn’t seen our exciting Paralympic sport to come along and be involved.
