The 4th edition of the Women’s Cup in Paris was a remarkable milestone for women in wheelchair rugby. Held in 2024, the tournament brought together over 60 female players from 18 nations, showcasing the rapid growth of the sport and its increasing global reach.
From humble beginnings with just 12 players in 2017, the Women’s Cup expanded to 42 players by 2023, marking a significant step forward with its first-ever match between two national teams, Great Britain and Canada. In 2024, the competition featured six national teams—Brazil, Spain, Ireland, Great Britain, the USA, and host nation France—along with two regional global teams.
Empowering Women in Wheelchair Rugby
The Women’s Cup wasn’t just about the competition; it was a platform for progress and advocacy. The WWR Global Taskforce for Women’s Participation hosted a workshop for players and team staff, emphasizing the importance of inclusion and sharing updates on initiatives to boost women’s participation in wheelchair rugby.
Key Updates Shared by the Taskforce:
- Enhanced Points Addition: WWR is seeking approval to change the points system, increasing the addition to the team for each female player on court. For each player rated 2.0 and above the team will receive an additional 0.5 on top of the current additional 0.5. Players rated 1.5 and below will still receive the original additional 0.5 points for their team.
- Future Competitions: Discussions began about establishing an annual event dedicated to women’s teams.
- The Playbook Launch: A comprehensive guide to growing women’s participation both internationally and domestically will debut in March 2024, aligning with International Women’s Day.
- Ambassador Program: Participants were encouraged to become national ambassadors to advocate for women in wheelchair rugby.
Voices from the Players
During the workshop and throughout the tournament, players voiced their aspirations and challenges:
- More Opportunities: Players emphasized the need for additional competitions and training opportunities as national women’s teams.
- Support from Federations: Advocacy for national federations to back women’s teams and ensure equitable support was a key priority.
- Inclusive Environments: Players called for welcoming club environments where coaching, court time, and opportunities are equitable for all genders.
- Paralympic Representation: There was widespread support for a women’s division in the Paralympics while maintaining mixed competition options.
Moments of Inspiration
The tournament was filled with inspiring stories:
- A player balancing motherhood by bringing her support team and toddler to the event.
- Brazil making history with an all-female staff delegation.
- A veteran player expressing newfound confidence and relaxation playing in an all-women environment.
- A young player aspiring to compete in the first Women’s World Championships.
- Teams forming lifelong bonds and expanding their “family” across borders.
Quotes from participants encapsulated the spirit of the event:
- “This was the best experience of my life.”
- “My family is bigger now—it’s from around the world.”
- “I hope back home they saw me play and will now give me court time. I can play with the men, and I am good.”
Looking Ahead:
The success of the 4th Women’s Cup paves the way for exciting developments in women’s wheelchair rugby:
- Playbook Launch: The “Playbook to Grow Women’s Participation in Wheelchair Rugby” will debut in March 2024.
- Expanded Competitions: Work is underway to establish a robust calendar of events at zonal and global levels.
- World Championships: Plans for the inaugural Women’s Wheelchair Rugby World Championships are in progress.
- Ambassador Growth: The Ambassador Program aims to have representation from every nation, furthering the cause of inclusivity.
The 2024 Women’s Cup was not just a tournament—it was a celebration of resilience, progress, and the limitless potential of women in wheelchair rugby. As the sport continues to grow, the global community is committed to creating more opportunities for women to thrive on and off the court.
Find the results here: https://womenscup-rugbyfauteuil.com/programme-resultats/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHI4dBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbcec8RoLc_mGaOFUuTAjkp45kCflJvLhKfsK0i8zDGuNgPxBzymVq7TVA_aem_8pV1d-oDK4wulrg1jYP99Q