Photo credit: Sara Pardoe Lisa O’Keefe MBE (Secretary General, International Working Group on Women and Sport) and Richard Allcroft OBE (WWR President) and the signed declaration
World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) is thrilled to announce a historic step toward gender equity in wheelchair rugby with the signing of the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport’s Brighton Plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration on March 4. This landmark commitment is accompanied by the launch of the Wheelchair Rugby Gender Equity Playbook—a game-changing strategy designed to drive female participation and leadership at every level of the sport.
The Brighton Plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration is a global movement championing equity, inclusion, and opportunity for women in sport. Recognizing the need for greater female representation, WWR’s 2022 strategic review set the foundation for this initiative.
WWR President, Richard Allcroft OBE, emphasized the importance of action:
“We recognised as an organisation that we were not doing enough to include female athletes within our sport. I’ve always been proud that our sport is open to all genders, but it was clear that if we didn’t create change, then we were never going to see enough female athletes taking up the game.
As our strategies were taking shape, this needed to expand to encompass the inclusion of women in leadership positions as well. The signing of the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration and the launch of our Playbooks is a statement that we are not just open to change but committed to making changes.”
Kathy Newman, Director of Development and Competitions and Chair of the WWR Women’s Task Group, reinforced the transformative nature of this step:
“The Brighton Plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration isn’t just a pledge—it’s a game-changer. When we formed our Women in Sport Task Team, we saw the barriers holding women back. This declaration is breaking them down, driving real change worldwide. When we invest in women in sport, we don’t just level the playing field—we transform the game for future generations and we change lives.
A future where women have equal opportunities in sport isn’t just possible—it’s happening. The Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration is proof that when we commit to change, we create a legacy of inclusion and empowerment.”
WWR is committed to turning words into action with the Wheelchair Rugby Gender Equity Playbook, a strategic framework aimed at:
Recruiting more female athletes through targeted outreach and engagement.
Developing leadership pathways for women in coaching, officiating, and governance.
Ensuring fair funding and resource allocation to support female athletes.
Creating a culture of inclusion through policy and mindset shifts across the sport.
Within the Playbook is a practical, community-focused guide designed to help local clubs create and deliver inclusive programming for women+. As well as a strategic framework for national federations and governing bodies. It provides guidance on policy development, funding applications, and the creation of targeted communications strategies to drive lasting change at a systemic level.
To complement these resources, WWR has also released a one-page summary, offering a concise overview of both playbooks and their key objectives.
This is more than a promise—it’s a bold, actionable plan to create lasting change. As nations begin implementing the playbook, WWR calls on the global wheelchair rugby community to step up and make equity a reality.
Lisa O’Keefe MBE, Secretary General of IWG, reflected after the signing:
“It’s a great pleasure to welcome World Wheelchair Rugby as the latest signatory of the IWG’s Declaration. IWG was involved in the consultation stage of the playbook and so I saw first-hand their commitment to making systemic change within the Federation in order to make the sport accessible to women and girls at every level.
WWR underwent a thorough process to produce their Playbooks, and I’m delighted we can share their brilliant work with the IWG network.”
For more information on the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration and the Wheelchair Rugby Gender Equity Playbook, visit https://worldwheelchair.rugby/ or follow us on social media @ww_rugby.
They say you shouldn’t reinvent the wheel – unless, of course, that wheel is rolling towards a future of greater gender equity in wheelchair rugby. World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) is proud to launch not one, but two groundbreaking Gender Equity Playbooks, set to level the playing field for women+ in the sport. If you’re ready to tackle outdated norms and turn gender equity from buzzword to reality, these playbooks are your new MVPs.
Why Two Playbooks? Because One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Let’s break it down…because equity isn’t just about opening the door, it’s about making sure everyone can get through it. The Club Playbook is your no-nonsense, grassroots guide to boosting female participation at the community level. Think of it as the ultimate game plan for clubs looking to welcome more women into the sport, whether as players, coaches, or future legends. It’s packed with practical tips, step-by-step advice, and enough inspiration to get your whole squad fired up.
But what about the big-picture stuff? Enter the Member Nations Playbook – designed for national federations and governing bodies. This isn’t just a handbook, it’s a power play for structural change. From shaping policies and securing funding to building communications strategies, this resource helps countries create long-lasting frameworks that champion gender equity at every level of the game. If clubs are the engine, this playbook is the blueprint for building the whole machine.
What’s Inside?
👉 Targeted recruitment strategies to bring more women+ into the game 👉 Leadership development programs to boost female representation on and off the court 👉 Tips for creating inclusive environments 👉 Funding guidance to help member nations make the case for equity 👉 Communications strategies that spotlight female athletes and leaders
Less Talk, More Action
These playbooks aren’t just about good intentions; they’re about real-world impact. Whether you’re a club looking to build an inclusive program or a national federation shaping the future of the sport, the message is clear: gender equity isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Download the playbooks today and be part of the change. Let’s break barriers, shatter ceilings, and prove that wheelchair rugby isn’t just for the toughest athletes, it’s for everyone. Because when we invest in women in sport, we don’t just transform the game – we change lives.
Prior to the study, the combined classification points of the four players on court cannot exceed 8.0. World Wheelchair Rugby international rules then granted an additional 0.5 points for each female athlete on court.
Following Loughborough’s project, new World Wheelchair Rugby international rules still grants an additional 0.5 point for every female low-point player on-court (i.e athletes classified as 0.5-1.5), however, this will now be increased to 1.0 point for every female high-point player on-court (athletes classified as 2.0 and above).
Findings showed that female and male players differ in arm muscle strength across all classification levels. This disparity affects the ability to perform key movements in the sport such as blocking and picking.
Strength differences were shown to be more profound in high-point players (least impaired) compared to low-point players (most impaired). Stakeholders at WWR used the study findings as evidence to adjust female athlete team points in terms of classification. The change aims to address equity in the sport.
Dr Thomas Rietveld explained the importance of this change: “Reconsidering the current competition rule for high-point female players will help to work towards fairness in wheelchair rugby, which is essential for participation and equity.
“This progressive adjustment not only highlights the value of evidence-based decision-making in sport but also underscores the growing emphasis on inclusivity and gender equity in competitive environments.
“The buy-in and support from both players and coaches and collaborative efforts behind this research reflects the commitment of the entire wheelchair rugby community within the sport for positive change. We would also like to thank Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby and UK Sport for funding the project.”
WWR President Richard Allcroft echoed the sentiment: “To ensure the effectiveness of the rule change, WWR will operate the updated rules at our three Championship events in 2025. I look forward to receiving the feedback from our members and teams as this will provide valuable insights into how the changes impact elite-level competition and how they will be received in grassroots wheelchair rugby.”
The research marks a significant achievement for the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University, furthering its mission to improve participation, equity, and fairness in adaptive sports.
World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR), the International Federation, has confirmed that the city of São Paulo will host their 9th World Championships, which will take place from August 15 to 24, 2026.
This will be the first time in history that the sport’s biggest tournament will be held in South America, with the Paralympic Training Center in São Paulo serving as the venue.
Ⓒ Brazilian Paralympic Committee
“It’s hard to put into words the joy I feel as the president of ABRC, representing Wheelchair Rugby at this moment when we have successfully brought the sport’s biggest competition to Brazil. We understand that this opens a window of opportunity to further develop rugby in Brazil and across South America,” celebrated José Higino, president of ABRC.
WWR President, Richard AllcroftOBE said “the hosting of our pinnacle Championship event by Brazil demonstrates the leadership that they are taking in developing wheelchair rugby in South America. ABRC continue to support those developing countries through various initiatives. It is an exciting moment for our first World Championship to be hosted in South America and see the best teams travel to what I know will be a successful tournament”.
Brazil’s confirmation as the host of the 2026 WWR World Championship is a historic achievement for both ABRC and the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB). It is part of a long-term plan aimed at positioning the Brazilian national team for a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
“It is extremely important for Brazil to host the 2026 World Championship. This demonstrates the country’s strength in the sport. Brazil was just one step away from securing a spot in 2024, and I believe that by 2028, the team will be even stronger to compete for a direct qualification to the next Paralympic Games,” said Yohansson Nascimento, CPB vice president.
This will be only the second time Brazil competes in the World Championship. The first was in 2022, when the national team made history in Denmark, finishing 11th place.
Before the World Championship, São Paulo will also host another major event: the 2025 WWR Americas Championship, from July 8 to 16, at the Paralympic Training Center. This will also mark the first time the continental tournament is held in Brazil.
Ⓒ ATPhoto, Andrew Turner
12 Teams, 4 Continents
The 2026 WWR World Championship will feature 12 teams, with qualification spots distributed as follows:
✅ 1 Spot – Host Country (Brazil) ✅ 4 Spots – 2025 European Championship – Division A ✅ 2 Spots – 2025 Americas Championship ✅ 2 Spots – 2025 Asia/Oceania Championship ✅ 3 Spots – 2026 World Championship Qualification Tournament
The World Qualification Tournament will take place in 2026, featuring eight teams: the top two finishers from each of the three regional championships that did not qualify directly, plus two additional teams based on the WWR world rankings.
About ABRC
The Brazilian Wheelchair Rugby Association (ABRC) is the governing body for wheelchair rugby in Brazil, affiliated with the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB) and World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR). ABRC is responsible for expanding the sport throughout the country, promoting its value as a tool for inclusion, rehabilitation, socialization, and talent development. The organization also provides opportunities for professionals seeking to enter adaptive sports and supports academic research in the field.
Ⓒ ATPhoto, Andrew Turner
About WWR
World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) is the governing body responsible for the sport of wheelchair rugby.
Our Vision
To be a world leader in Para sport.
Our Mission
Growing and supporting the wheelchair rugby family.
A recent study in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living compared the performance of wheelchair rugby athletes with coordination impairments to those with other impairments. The research found that athletes with coordination impairments exhibited distinct performance characteristics, highlighting the need for tailored training and classification systems to ensure fair competition and optimal athlete development.
Introduction: To determine if athletes with coordination impairment (CI) can continue playing wheelchair rugby (WR), while an evidence-based classification system, including impairment tests for CI is not yet available. This is a defensible practise if they show similar activity limitations as athletes with other eligible impairment types (OI) within the same sports class.
Methods: Standardised activities were measured in 58 elite WR athletes; 14 with CI and 44 with OI. Wheelchair activities consisted of 20-meter sprint, 12-meter sprint with full stop, intermittent sprint (3-meter sprint, stop, 3-meter sprint, stop, 6-meter sprint with full stop), sprint-curve-slalom-curve, turn on the spot 180°, turn on the spot 90°, stop, turn 90°in the same direction, X-test (short circuit with sharp turns) without the ball. Ball activities consisted of maximal throwing distance, precision throwing short (25% of maximum throw) and long (75% of maximal throw) distance and X-test with the ball (pick-up the ball and dribble whilst pushing). Descriptive statistics were used and Spearman’s Rank correlation was assessed for athletes with CI and OI for each outcome measure. Differences between athletes with CI and OI were assessed using a Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: Most activities showed a high correlation with the athlete class in both athletes with CI and athletes with OI. Furthermore, outcome measures of athletes with CI overlapped with athletes with OI in the same sports class for all activities. There was a trend for worse performance in athletes with CI in turn on the spot 90°, stop, turn 90°in the same direction, the short distance one handed precision throw (P 0.11)and in the X-test with the ball (P 0.10).
Discussion: Despite the current lack of evidence based impairment tests for CI, it is a defensible practise to not exclude athletes with CI from WR with the current classification system. The trends for differences in performance that were found can support athletes and coaches in optimising performance of athletes with CI.
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.
We all know that 2024 was a very busy year, and what an amazing year it has been! Let’s take a moment to reflect on this incredible journey and all we have accomplished.
2024 featured a series of exciting international tournaments across multiple countries. Spain kicked off the year with a victory at the International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, defeating Poland in a thrilling final. The 2024 WWR Paralympic Qualification Tournament in New Zealand saw Australia, Canada and Germany secure spots for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. In Denmark, the USA won the Musholm Cup, while Japan triumphed at the Quad Nations in Wales. Japan also claimed the Canada Cup, before dominating at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, securing gold ahead of the USA and Australia. The European Championship Division B in Finland saw Poland top the podium, while the International Development Clinic in Bali focused on growing wheelchair rugby in Asia. Colombia won the 4 Nações Sul Americanas tournament, and the year concluded with the Women’s Cup in Paris, where Team Energie emerged victorious. Throughout the year, tournaments helped refine team strategies, fostered regional growth, and provided athletes with valuable competition as they prepared for the upcoming Paralympic Games.
🟠 The International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament Madrid, Spain – 17th to 18th February Podium: 🥇Spain 🥈Poland 🥉Czechia
The year started in Spain with the International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament. The first day was completely dominated by Poland, closely followed by Spain. But on the second day, the hosts, Spain, took the lead over Poland in the final and won the competition.
Marc Subiron from Spain says: “Winning the first international wheelchair rugby tournament in Madrid meant a lot for the Spanish team. Not only because the team continues demonstrating that Spanish players are competitive at the international level, but also because of how the championship was achieved through a great final against Poland, who had recently become Euro B champions. As a member of the squad, I was really happy with how we pushed the entire team together to achieve this important result for the year. In addition, this was the first time Madrid held an international-level tournament, and we hope it won’t be the last. Inviting other European countries and playing at home is definitely a big step for Spain’s growth in the rugby community.”
🟠 2024 WWR Paralympic Qualification Tournament Wellington, New Zealand – 20th to 24th March Nations: Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Switzerland Podium: 🥇Australia 🥈Canada 🥉Germany
Eight teams travelled to the new home of Wellington rugby at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport. This was the first time New Zealand had hosted a major international wheelchair rugby tournament since the 2017 Asia-Oceania Tournament in Auckland. This competition was the last chance for teams to secure one of the three spots for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. The pressure was at its highest throughout the tournament. Australia and Canada secured their spots for the Paralympics by finishing first and second. Finally, Germany clinched the last European spot for the Paralympics.
Ella Sabljak from Australia says: “Qualifying for the Paralympic Games at the New Zealand repechage tournament was such an incredible moment. All the hard work, early mornings, and tough training sessions felt so worth it when we realized we’d done it. Sharing that with my teammates, who gave everything they had, made it even more special—it was pure joy.”
🟠 2024 Musholm Cup Korsør, Denmark – 29th to 31st March Nations: USA, Denmark, Great Britain Podium: 🥇USA 🥈Great Britain 🥉Denmark
The host nation Denmark, ranked 7th in the world, welcomed 2020 Paralympic champions Great Britain and 2020 Paralympic silver medalists USA to the Musholm Cup. This tournament was a great opportunity for all teams to try out new strategies and experience the opponents they will face in Paris during the Paralympics. USA took the lead and won the competition.
Mason Symons from Team USA says: “This tournament was a great opportunity to experiment with different lineups and new team concepts. We had a great time, and the accommodations were top-notch.”
📷Bagnis Pics
🟠 2024 Quad Nations Cardiff, Wales – 16th to 18th April Nations: Great Britain, USA, Japan, France Podium: 🥇Japan 🥈USA 🥉Great Britain
The Quad Nations, a competition well-known to everyone, returned this year with the four teams that were the first to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympics: 2020 Paralympic champions Great Britain, 2023 European champions France, 2023 Asia-Oceania champions Japan, and 2023 Parapan American champions USA. Despite fierce competition, this prelude to the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games was a good opportunity for the four teams to evaluate their preparation. Japan placed first, followed by the USA and Great Britain.
Ryuji Kusaba from Japan says: “In 2023, I had the opportunity to participate in my first international tournament overseas, and I was also able to compete in the first international tournament of 2024. The games highlighted many personal challenges, but I will continue to work hard in my daily training to improve and build on this experience for the future.”
📷Ben Evans/Huw Evans Agency
🟠 2024 Canada Cup Richmond Olympic Oval, BC, Canada – 3rd to 9th June Nations: Great Britain, Australia, Japan, Canada, USA, France Podium: 🥇Japan 🥈Australia 🥉Great Britain
The Canada Cup was the last international tournament before the Paralympics, offering teams one final opportunity to measure their readiness. Japan came to defend their 2023 title, and they succeeded in doing so. World champions Australia placed second, followed by the 2020 Paralympic gold medalists Great Britain.
Hitoshi Ogawa from Japan says: “The tournament was intense, as it also served as the final selection for the Paralympics. I was thrilled to see Japan win the championship, and I was honored to receive the Best Player Award. Although we finished with a perfect record, there is still a lot of potential for Japan to become even stronger.”
📷Bogetti Smith
🟠 Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Paris, France – 29th August to 2nd September Nations: Australia, USA, Japan, France, Canada, Great Britain, Denmark, Germany Podium: 🥇Japan 🥈USA 🥉Australia
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games welcomed 83,141 spectators over the five days of competition, with 95% of the sessions sold out or nearly sold out. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing, and we witnessed some of the most exciting games in the history of the sport, held at the beautiful Champ de Mars venue next to the Eiffel Tower.
With four games per day, the competition was intense, and the suspense remained high until the very end. After not winning gold at Tokyo 2020, Japan took the lead in the final, beating USA, the most decorated Paralympic wheelchair rugby team. After winning three silver medals, Team USA is already aiming for gold at LA28.
Katsuya Hashimoto from Japan says: “The support I received has been an incredible source of strength for me. Winning the gold medal has given me a new perspective—one that can only be gained through such an achievement. I will continue striving toward my goal of becoming the ‘world’s best player.'”
📷Megumi Masuda / WWR
🟠 2024 WWR European Championship Division B Lahti, Finland – 29th September to 7th October Nations: Sweden, Poland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Czechia, Finland, Israel Podium: 🥇Poland 🥈Sweden 🥉Italy
Eight teams from Europe travelled to the Pajulahti Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Finland to compete for a spot in Division A. The host nation Finland claimed 7th place after a tough battle against Austria. The 5v6 battle between Israel and Spain was a very close game that almost went into overtime, but Spain won by just one point. Poland won three out of four games and clinched the gold after a powerful battle against Sweden. The top two teams, Poland and Sweden, earned their spots in Division A, while Italy also advanced to Division A after taking bronze. Finland, Austria, and Israel dropped down to Division C.
📷Essi Badi
🟠 International Development Clinic Bali – 9th to 12th October
WWR recently hosted a leadership development clinic in Bali, Indonesia, supported by BSF Indonesia and IPC funding, with workshops led by experts in coaching, technical officiating, and classification. The clinic, which involved 24 participants from six countries, aimed to support Asia’s participation in the 2026 Para Asian Games and foster regional growth, with ongoing initiatives including training camps, local wheelchair manufacturing, and coaching development.
🟠 4 Nações Sul Americanas Niteroi, Brazil – 16th to 19th October Nations: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile Podium: 🥇Colombia 🥈Brazil 🥉Argentina
The training week for development hosted the South American Wheelchair Rugby 4 Nations tournament, which included teams from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile. This event promoted mobility and brought visibility to the sport. Colombia placed first, followed by Brazil and Argentina.
Julian Vargas Lopez from the Colombian team says: “The tournament was at a great level. Each country brought new players in preparation for upcoming international competitions. I think this serves a lot for the growth of the sport in the region.”
📷Thelma Vidales/ABRC
🟠 Rugbymania 2024 Prague, Czech Republic – 14th to 16th November
The 25th edition of Rugbymania brought together 12 exciting teams divided into two leagues. The players on these teams came from all over the world, including Finland, Sweden, Poland, Austria, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Denmark, Luxembourg, and the United States. Rugbymania 2024 also hosted a WWR classification and Referee Clinic. The tournament started on Thursday with the first league matches, played in a round-robin format. The second league began on Friday with teams divided into two groups, followed by the semi-finals and placement games on Saturday. Strong players were present in both leagues, and the games were absolutely thrilling to watch!
Davy Van Den Dop, MVP of the tournament, says: “I was surprised because the finals didn’t go too well, but that’s alright. I appreciate the people who voted for me! I must say, the MVP award should be a bit more divided. It’s almost never awarded to a low-point player, and I think Florian Bongard was the MVP for the Red Lions. He did a very, very impressive job. I hope in the future we can hand out more titles.”
🟠 Shibuya Cup 2024 Shibuya, Japan – 18th to 20th November Nations: Japan, Australia
The Shibuya Cup hosted four games between Australia and Japan. The Australian development team started strong with two wins over Japan in the first two games. The third game ended with a win for Japan after two overtimes! The Shibuya Cup closed with a final win for Australia.
🟠 Wheelchair Rugby Women’s Cup 2024 Paris, France – 2nd to 8th December
The Women’s Cup is currently the only international event for female wheelchair rugby players. Since its debut in 2015, the event has grown significantly. The 4th edition welcomed 60 athletes from 18 countries, divided into 8 teams. Great Britain, who won every game they played last year and were the champions to beat, ended up in 3rd place and took bronze against France in a very close game. Team Energie won the final with a score of 52-37!
Anne-Elizabeth d’Acremont from France says: “It was an intense competition with several high-level matches, bringing together around sixty athletes from 18 nationalities. The tournament allowed many players to gain experience and face strong teams. Thanks to the CAPSAAA club for organizing this event that helps develop women’s wheelchair rugby.”
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.
Sunday 17th November 2024 was the start of 3 days of Workshops and Meetings with over 20 WWR member nations present all contributing to strong discussions on the development and future of Wheelchair Rugby.
Zonal catch ups were held with nations facilitated by John Timms, WWR Operations Manager.
The workshops focused on several key areas aimed at strengthening the future of wheelchair rugby.
Proposed rule changes were presented in depth by Stan Battock, Head of Technical, and Jacques Erasmus, Head of Classification, with a focus on ensuring fairness and improving the overall competitive experience.
Kathy Newman, Director of Competitions and Development, and Makiko Harada, Female Participation Task Group Member presented the WWR Gender Equity strategy and approach, outlining initiatives to foster inclusivity and equal opportunity across all levels of participation.
The workshops also introduced the WWR Academy Learning Plan, an educational framework designed to support athlete development, coaching excellence, and leadership growth presented by Richard Allcroft OBE, WWR President, and Rob Tarr, Head of Coaching.
A review of the competition structure and classification pathway was presented by Tim Johnson, Head of Competitions, detailing proposed changes to the Membership fee structure, an explanation on licence fees and proposed changes to the World Ranking System, and the Competition and Classification Pathway in particular for developing nations.
The General Assembly saw the important business World Wheelchair Rugby completed and elections saw Juan Pablo Salazar Salamanca elected as Vice President, and Stephen Loader and Martin Richard elected as Members at Large. Shae Graham was elected as the Athlete Representative.
WWR President Richard Allcroft OBE stated “Thank you to all of the World Wheelchair Rugby Member Nations who joined us for the General Assembly and Workshops held in Prague, Czechia this week. Your presence, valuable insights, and engagement were instrumental in making the General Assembly and Workshops a resounding success. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and progress together. Congratulations to Juan, Stephen, Martin and Shae on their elections. I look forward to continuing working with them along with the rest of the Board” He recognised the support from the hosts adding “Huge thanks also to the Czech Wheelchair Rugby Association who were excellent hosts and enabled the 4 days to run smoothly”.
Juan Salazar, Vice President said “It’s exciting times for our sport. I’m looking forward to continuing working as Vicepresident to grow our reach and make sure wheelchair rugby continues changing people’s lives around the world.”
Steve Loader, Elected Member at Large said “I am honoured to have been re-elected to the Board of World Wheelchair Rugby at the General Assembly in Prague. There is much to be done working with our athletes and members organisations, and I am looking forward to exciting times ahead for our sport.”
Martin Richard, Elected Member at Large, stated “I’m deeply grateful to the membership for placing their trust in me for a second term on the board of directors. This is a pivotal moment for WWR as we develop our next strategic plan. I remain committed to supporting the organization’s leadership as we work to grow our sport and prioritize key areas of advancement, including commercial opportunities and expanding global broadcast coverage.”
Shae Graham, Athlete Representative said “I am excited to be elected as the Athlete representative to world wheelchair rugby’s board. I am excited to work with the wwr athletes and the other board members to grow our sport.”
François Van Zon
