The 25th edition of Rugbymania took place from November 14–16, 2024, in Prague at the Sport Centre Rokytka. This well-established tournament welcomed 12 teams competing in two leagues. Rugbymania traces its origins back to 1998, when a small number of teams participated in the first event following the Sports Camp at the Sport Centre Nymburk. The tournament was held there until 2013. In 2014, it moved to Pilsen, and since 2015, it has been hosted in Prague.
This year, the tournament benefited from a new venue located just 5 km from the hotel, making transportation more convenient. The players and teams appreciated the excellent facilities and warm hospitality of the Sport Centre.
In the First League, the Red Lions, participating for the fifth time, claimed their first-ever trophy by defeating the Agivie Sharks in the final. The Agivie Sharks celebrated their second silver medal, following a similar achievement in 2022. The Prague Robots secured third place with a win over Switzerland. The Korean team, Chungnam Pro Team, finished in fifth place, while the Polish team, IKS JEŹDŹCY PREZERO ARENA GLIWICE, ended in sixth.
In the Second League, Sweden’s Nacka Spiders claimed victory, followed by Austria’s Flying Wheels in second place. The Polish team Four Kings finished third, beating the Danish Development Team 56–44. The Czech teams took the last two positions, with The Gunners in fifth place and the Czech Development Team narrowly losing 47–49 in their final match.
“It is an honour to host a tournament of this scale, which brings new challenges every year. We witnessed some fantastic matches, and the satisfaction of the teams motivates us to start preparing for the 26th edition, scheduled for November 13–15, 2025,” said David Lukes, Chairperson of the Local Organizing Committee.
Referee Clinic: A Key Element of Rugbymania
Rugbymania kicked off with a referee clinic on Thursday morning, led by Head Official Kristin Hempfling and evaluator Katja Grotensohn. Kristin, a WWR World-Level Referee and Head Official of Germany, has been a part of Rugbymania since 2006. Katja, a member of the WWR Technical Working Group and Head Official of Europe, attended the event for the second time.
Nine referees from five countries participated in the 3.5-hour clinic, which focused on rules knowledge and referee mechanics, providing a solid foundation for the tournament.
From Thursday afternoon to Saturday evening, 15 referees from nine countries officiated 29 games across two divisions. Experienced WWR referees mentored newer officials, offering guidance and evaluations to enhance their on-court performance.
“Everyone improved significantly from day one to day three. A huge thank you to all for their hard work on and off the court and their excellent teamwork,” said Kristin Hempfling.
Collaboration Beyond Rugbymania
“We are also proud to have hosted WWR Governing Board members and representatives of member nations in Prague immediately after Rugbymania for three days of productive workshops, culminating in the General Assembly,” said Radka Kucirkova, President of Czech Adaptive Sports.
Reflections from the Main Organizer, Player, and Coach of the Prague Robots, David Lukes
The reason most people are drawn to wheelchair rugby isn’t just the sport itself but also the unique atmosphere. The rugby community fosters friendship and a sense of safety. The game may appear aggressive, but its essence is rooted in fair play. I’m pleased that wheelchair rugby is becoming increasingly similar to traditional rugby, although there’s still room for improvement, particularly in respecting opponents and referees—especially during emotionally charged matches.
Rugbymania’s motto, “Always Special,” is no coincidence. Since its inception, it has been a tournament that brings players together at the end of the season, with a social evening as an integral part of the event. Over the years, as the tournament has grown more professional, it has attracted world-class teams and players, including Paralympic representatives from across the globe.
The game itself has shown a clear trend toward dominance by high-point players. Teams without such players struggle to achieve strong results. However, one exception was the Swiss team, which we, the Prague Robots, faced in the third-place match. Their starting lineup consisted of players with a maximum classification of 2.5 points. Nevertheless, at the highest levels, having two high-point players on the court is often key to success, as seen in the top teams at the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
This was evident at Rugbymania as well, where the Red Lions showcased their strength in the final. With Danish national team players Leon Jörgensen and Mark Peters in their starting lineup, they defeated the Agivie Sharks 55–51. The Agivie Sharks delivered impressive performances throughout the tournament, with their star player, Davy Van Den Dop, being named the MVP of Rugbymania.
Lastly, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our teammates from the USA—Kory, Josh, and Chuck. It’s always incredibly inspiring to play alongside such remarkable stars. I’m truly grateful to be part of this incredible community.
