The countdown is on for one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year!
From April 22 to 27, 2025, the WWR European Championship Division A will take center stage at the facilities of Sportcampus Zuiderpark in The Hague.
With just one week to go, excitement is building as the eight best teams in Europe prepare to battle for supremacy. A total of 96 elite athletes from eight powerhouse nations will compete in a thrilling display of skill, strategy, and athleticism. This championship promises intense action, as only the very best of Europe have secured their spots in this prestigious tournament. Fans can expect top-tier competition, as each team aims to claim the title of European champions.
The Sportcampus Zuiderpark, known for its good venue and vibrant atmosphere, is set to provide the perfect stage for this exciting event. Athletes will benefit from high-quality facilities, while spectators will enjoy an unforgettable experience in one of the most dynamic sporting venues in the Netherlands.With national pride and European dominance on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As the tournament approaches, teams are fine-tuning their tactics, analyzing their rivals, and preparing to leave everything on the field. Fans, brace yourselves for a week of high-intensity action, dramatic moments, and sporting excellence! Stay tuned for more updates as the championship draws closer.
The Qufora Egmont Open 2025 has now concluded, and what an exciting few days it has been! The tournament has featured thrilling matches, incredible performances, and impressive displays of sportsmanship from all the participating teams. A huge thank you goes out to our sponsors, volunteers, and officials for their continued support and dedication in making this event such a success.
Congratulations to the Medal Winners!
After a few days of intense competition, we are proud to announce the following medalists:
ODIN LEAGUE:
Bronze: Brazil 🥉
Silver: Netherlands 🥈
Gold: Denmark 🥇
THOR LEAGUE:
Bronze: GB Talent 🥉
Silver: Bredballe Bucks 🥈
Gold: Red Lions 🥇
A Big Thank You to All Involved
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors, volunteers, and officials who helped make the Qufora Egmont Open 2025 such a memorable event. Your commitment and hard work ensured the smooth running of the tournament, and we are incredibly grateful for your support.
Well Done to the Medal Winners!
A special congratulations to all the medal-winning teams! The level of competition was outstanding, and we were privileged to witness some fantastic wheelchair rugby action. A big shoutout to the Red Lions for their victory in the Thor League, and to Denmark for their dominant performance in the Odin League. Well done to all teams who participated, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year!
Final Thoughts: A Wonderful Experience with Our Wheelchair Rugby Family
As we wrap up Qufora Egmont Open 2025, we want to thank everyone who made this event a success. From the dedicated players to the supporters in the stands, it’s been a few days of incredible energy and spirit. We look forward to next year’s edition, and in the meantime, we’ll continue supporting wheelchair rugby at all levels.
Stay tuned for updates, and don’t forget to check out the photos from the event, courtesy of Thomas Rask / @raskprod. 📸
See you all again soon, and once again – congratulations to our medal winners! 💥🤩📣
The Qufora Egmont Open 2025 is just around the corner, set to take place from April 4 – 6 at Egmont Højskolen. This tournament will bring together ten teams from Denmark, Germany, Brazil, Netherlands, Sweden, and more, offering a great opportunity for teams to prepare for the upcoming European Championship in Wheelchair Rugby later in April.
Teams and Purpose
Among the participating teams are Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, and Sweden, all using the Qufora Egmont Open as a warm-up for the European Championship in Wheelchair Rugby, which will be held shortly after. In addition, teams like RED LIONS, Bredballe Bucks, GB Talent, Norway, and the Qufora team are set to compete, adding a variety of talent to the tournament.
One to Watch: Tobias Sandberg
One player to keep an eye on is Tobias Sandberg, who is making his comeback for Sweden after some time away from the court. Known for his dynamic play and leadership, Sandberg’s return will be a key highlight for fans of Swedish wheelchair rugby.
Venue
The tournament will be held at Egmont Højskolen, a venue well known for its excellent accessibility and welcoming atmosphere, providing a great setting for both players and spectators alike.
Stay Informed
You can follow the schedule and updates for the event here, and stay connected via the official Facebook page.
Looking forward to seeing you at the Qufora Egmont Open 2025 for a good tournament in wheelchair rugby!
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.
