Author: Editor Prime

World Wheelchair Rugby is seeking a voluntary Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to provide strategic leadership and expert medical advice across wheelchair rugby.

Reporting to the Secretary General (or a board-appointed director), the CMO will be appointed by the Board of Directors at the conclusion of interviews, with appointments reviewed on a four-year Paralympic cycle. The role requires an estimated commitment of 3–4 hours per month, with limited travel (expenses covered where required). The CMO will not provide individual medical treatment but will advise on medical, anti-doping, athlete welfare, classification, and competition medical standards, chair the Medical Advisory Group (MAG), and support WWR’s commitment to WADA compliance and best practice in athlete welfare. Applicants must be qualified medical practitioners with knowledge of anti-doping in sport and strong coordination and communication skills; experience in Paralympic sport, TUE assessment, or sporting bodies is desirable.

How to apply: Submit a CV and covering letter outlining how you meet the criteria via email to Joe Elliott at the WWR Office (office@worldwheelchair.rugby) no later than Friday 27 March 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview. For further information or to explore alternative opportunities within the Medical Advisory Group or anti-doping work, contact the WWR Office or visit https://worldwheelchair.rugby.

Find the Full Role Description here: Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Application & Role Description

World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) is pleased to announce the host for the 2026 WWR World Championship Qualification Tournament. The successful host city is Medellin, Colombia.

The tournament will be held from 12^th to 20^th April 2026 at the Coliseo Iván de Bedout, located in Medellin, Colombia.

Medellín, known as the City of Eternal Spring, offers a vibrant and welcoming environment for international sport. The Iván de Bedout Coliseum, located within the Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex, provides world-class accessible facilities and will serve as the heart of the Qualification Tournament.

Norma Mena, Vice-President Federacion Colombiana Deportiva de Rugby en silla de ruedassill, added:

“We are honored to welcome the international wheelchair rugby community to Medellín. Hosting this Qualification Tournament is a milestone for Colombia and a commitment to inclusivity and excellence. We look forward to providing a memorable experience for all delegations and athletes.”

John Timms, WWR Operations Manager, said:

“WWR is delighted to confirm Medellín as the host city for the 2026 World Championship Qualification Tournament. Colombia presented a strong proposal, and the Coliseo Iván de Bedout offers an excellent, accessible venue that meets the needs of athletes, officials, and teams. We look forward to working closely with the Local Organizing Committee to deliver a high-quality event and a positive experience for everyone involved.”

For further information regarding the event, please contact Norma Mena comunicaciones@rugbysrcolombia.org, or WWR Office office@worldwheelchair.rugby

Day 5 Final Match Report

And just like that, the 2025 Asia-Oceania Championship comes to a close, and what a sensational final day it was. From heart-pounding finishes to heroic performances, Day 5 delivered everything fans could have hoped for. Here’s the full rundown of an unforgettable finale.

Thailand vs Malaysia – Heart on Display

The day opened with a spirited contest between Thailand and Malaysia, setting the tone for an emotion-filled final round.

Malaysia’s Muhammad Syarul Anuar Jamar worked tirelessly end to end, pushing the ball, hustling back on defence, and never letting up. But Thailand’s Garunphon Getmongkhon stole the show, creating turnovers, finishing plays, and controlling the pace.

When the final buzzer sounded, Thailand secured 5th place with a 55-14 win, while Malaysia finished a well-earned 6th after a tournament full of determination.

New Zealand vs Korea – A Clash for Bronze

A tightly contested bronze-medal match saw New Zealand and Korea battling point for point in what was expected to be one of the closest games of the tournament – and it didn’t disappoint.

Korea pushed the pace, staying within reach for most of the game, but New Zealand’s Maia Marshall-Amai quietly took over. The “silent assassin” made key plays on both offence and defence, steering the Kiwis with calm intensity.

Her impact proved decisive as New Zealand clinched bronze with a 47-36 victory.

Japan vs Australia – A Final for the Ages

The gold-medal match was everything fans dreamed of – and more.

Japan and Australia traded turnovers, big hits, and clutch scores in a game that stayed neck and neck from start to finish. As the clock wound down, overtime felt almost inevitable… until Japan made one final push.

With only seconds left, Japan advanced the ball, found the gap, and scored the winner, sealing a heart-stopping 53-52 victory with Japan claiming gold and Australia silver.  Both teams now book their place at the 2026 World Championship.

Individual Awards – Celebrating the Best in the Region

Of course, the championship wouldn’t be complete without recognising the stars who lit up the court all week. Congratulations to our All-Star lineup:

• Best 0.5: James McQuillan (Australia)
  
• Best 1.0: Gareth Lynch (New Zealand)
  
• Best 1.5: Seiya Norimatsu (Japan)
  
• Best 2.0: Ucheol Park (Korea)
  
• Best 2.5: Cameron Leslie (New Zealand)
  
• Best 3.0: Hayden Barton-Cootes (New Zealand)
  
• Best 3.5: Katsuya Hashimoto (Japan)
  
• MVP: Yukinobu Ike (Japan)
  

An incredible group of athletes showcasing the absolute best of wheelchair rugby.

Thank You, Asia-Oceania

What a tournament. What a community. Thank you to the athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, organisers, and fans who made this championship unforgettable.

Until the next wheelchair rugby showdown – see you on the court.

Day 4 Catch Up:

Welcome to Day 4 of the Asia-Oceania Championship. From hard hits to high tempo play, here’s everything you may have missed from another thrilling day on court.

Thailand vs Australia – Heart vs Power

The day opened with a spirited matchup as Thailand took on tournament heavyweights Australia.
Thanakan Ainthanranut and Gritsapong Wonguthai led the charge for Thailand, testing Australia’s defence and finding creative ways to push through the line.

But the Aussies’ depth and precision ultimately proved too strong, and Australia secured a commanding 74-21 victory. Still, Thailand’s heart and sportsmanship shone through from start to finish.

Malaysia vs Korea – Quick, Intense, Dynamic

Next up, Malaysia and Korea delivered a fast-paced contest full of hustle. Malaysia worked hard to match Korea’s speed and agility, pushing the tempo whenever they could.

Korea, however, kept the pressure high and capitalised on their quick transitions, eventually closing out the match with a confident 37-7 win.

Japan vs New Zealand – A Crowd-Favourite Clash

Fans packed the venue for the highly anticipated showdown between Japan and New Zealand – and it absolutely lived up to the hype.

Both sides traded big hits, smart plays, and bursts of speed in a razor-close battle. The matchup between Japan’s Yukinobu Ike and New Zealand’s Hayden Barton-Cootes was a standout duel, with both athletes driving their teams forward in a thrilling back-and-forth.

In the end, Japan held their nerve and claimed a hard-fought 50-42 victory.

On to the Final Day

With Day 4 wrapped and momentum building, the stage is set for an electrifying final day of competition. Trust us, you don’t want to miss what’s coming next.

Day 3 Recap:

As we hit the hump day of the tournament, fatigue may be creeping in, but you’d never know it from the intensity on court. Day 3 delivered grit, determination, and commanding performances across all three matchups. Here’s how it all unfolded.

Korea vs Japan – Japan’s Depth on Display

Korea came out strong to open the day, matching Japan’s early pace and physicality with confidence. But a few costly turnovers in the opening minutes allowed Japan to seize control – and they never let it go.

Japan’s electric duo Shinichi Shimakawa and Katsuya Hashimoto were locked in, combining seamlessly to build a growing lead. Their teamwork and tempo made the difference, steadily widening the gap as the match progressed.

Korea battled hard and showed plenty of heart, but Japan’s depth proved too much as they secured a 67-33 victory.

New Zealand vs Thailand – Pressure from the Kiwis

Next up, New Zealand faced hosts Thailand in a high-pressure matchup. The Kiwis came out with a clear game plan: keep Thailand pinned in the back court and dictate the pace through tight defence and disciplined chair work.

Keenan Alexander shone for New Zealand, making impact plays at both ends and driving the team’s momentum. With consistent pressure and smart execution, New Zealand rolled to a 65-16 win.

Australia vs Malaysia – Aussies in Control

To close out Day 3, Australia took on Malaysia in a match defined by heart on one side and control on the other. Malaysia showed tremendous resilience, fighting on every possession and earning big cheers from the crowd with their determination.

Australia, however, held command throughout the game. Cooper Blackwood and Andrew Edmondson played major minutes and delivered standout performances, helping secure a strong 42-4 win for the Aussies.

On to Day 4!

Three days down and the action just keeps getting better. With intensity rising and teams pushing through fatigue, Day 4 is shaping up to be another thrilling round.

Don’t miss a moment – catch every game live on the WWR YouTube channel!

Day 2 Action:

Day 2 of the Asia-Oceania Wheelchair Rugby Championship brought intensity, skill, and standout performances across all three matchups. Here’s everything you missed from another electric day on court.

Australia vs Korea – A High-Energy Showcase

The day kicked off with a blockbuster clash as Australia took on Korea in a match packed with speed, physicality, and world-class execution. Korea’s agility and quick ball movement immediately set the tone, proving they’re shaping up to be serious contenders in this tournament.

A thrilling battle unfolded between Australia’s Chris Bond and Korea’s Seonghui Lee, with both athletes showcasing grit and leadership. Lilliana Prucha shone defensively, creating key stops and locking down Korea’s biggest threats.

Despite Korea matching Australia’s intensity for much of the match, it was the Aussies’ stamina and composure in the closing minutes that made the difference, sealing a 72-62 victory.

Japan vs Thailand – Smooth, Controlled, Clinical

Japan and Thailand took centre stage next in a more measured matchup. Thailand brought heart and hustle from the outset, but Japan’s structure and flow were simply unstoppable.

With disciplined execution, Japan steadily pulled ahead to secure a confident 54-28 win; another strong showing from a team building serious momentum.

Malaysia vs New Zealand – Heart vs Control

Closing out the day, Malaysia faced New Zealand in a contest that won over the crowd from the first whistle. Malaysia’s courage and determination earned huge cheers as they fought for every opportunity.

But New Zealand’s experience and organisation were the difference. Jacinta Richardson led brilliantly as playmaker, guiding the Kiwi attack and steering them to a solid 47-13 victory.

Stay Tuned

With two days down and plenty more action ahead, the championship is heating up fast.

Catch every match live on the WWR YouTube channel – don’t miss a moment!

Day 1 Action:

The Asia-Oceania Wheelchair Rugby Championship blasted into action with a huge opening day packed with big hits, big heart, and even bigger hustle. If you missed the live action, don’t worry, here’s everything you need to get caught up.

New Zealand vs Australia – A Trans-Tasman Battle

The opener delivered exactly what fans hoped for: intensity, physicality, and zero signs of neighbourly love. From the first tip-off, both teams went try for try in a fast-paced, end-to-end contest.

New Zealand’s powerhouse duo Hayden Barton-Cootes and Cameron Leslie put on a gritty display, matching Australia’s physicality and fighting for every possession. But as the game wore on, Australia cranked up the defensive pressure, forcing turnovers that swung momentum in their favour.

Despite New Zealand’s resilience, Australia closed out the clash with a strong 61-42 victory to open their campaign.

Korea vs Thailand – Korea Brings the Heat

Game two saw Korea come out firing, taking on hosts Thailand with relentless energy. Thailand battled with determination and heart, but Korea’s clinical pressure and precise chair work quickly took control of the match.

Korea’s Ucheol Park was everywhere; reading plays early, scooping up turnovers, and intercepting passes with almost perfect anticipation. By the final whistle, Korea’s dominance was reflected on the scoreboard: 68-14.

Japan vs Malaysia – Discipline on Display

To close out Day 1, Japan put on a masterclass of tactical discipline and execution against Malaysia. Playing much of the match in key defence, Japan dictated the tempo from start to finish, forcing Malaysia to adjust to their pace rather than the other way around.

Shinichi Shimakawa set the tone for Japan on both ends – scoring, creating pressure, and leading by example. Malaysia battled hard and kept their intensity high, but Japan’s control ultimately secured them a commanding 55-3 win.

What’s Next?

Day 1 set the stage with speed, skill, and statement performances – and we’re only just getting started.

Catch all Day 2 action live on the WWR YouTube channel and follow along as the battle for regional supremacy continues.

Watch live here: WWR YouTube Channel

WWR is pleased to share the bid documents to host the 2026 World Championships Qualification Tournament.
Hosting the tournament is available to all eligible nations as identified in the documents provided.
⦁ 2026 WWR World Championships Qualification Tournament Event Requirements
⦁ 2026 WWR World Championships Qualification Tournament Host Application
⦁ 2026 WWR World Championships Qualification Tournament Host Selection Process
⦁ 2026 WWR World Championships Qualification Tournament Budget Template

Should any nation be interested in bidding please inform the WWR Office as soon as possible so any additional support can be provided.
Members are welcome to share this information with National / Regional Agencies, Cities and Venues etc who may be interested in leading / supporting a bid.

Please note the following deadline:
24 November 2025
Last Date to submit Host Applications.

Last Date applications from Asia-Oceania region may be withdrawn without penalty.
If you have any questions / queries please do not hesitate to contact the WWR Office office@worldwheelchair.rugby

Over eight incredible days in Icheon, I had the privilege of working alongside my colleague Simon Starr, supporting Korean coaches and players as they developed their skills, shared ideas, and grew together through the game of wheelchair rugby.

✨ Day 1 started in the classroom, exploring rules, planning, safety and coaching strategies.
✨ Day 2 moved into tactics and practice delivery, with coaches stepping into rugby chairs to run 20-minute sessions.
✨ Day 3 was all about full-court learning, attack and defence drills, rotating skill zones, and live feedback from players.
✨ Day 4 brought the energy of match-day, scrimmages, timeouts, special plays, and full refereed scenarios.

One of the most rewarding parts of this clinic was overcoming the language barrier. 🤖🎧 With the help of AI technology and real-time earbud translation, every discussion, drill, and debrief became an opportunity for genuine connection. I watched coaches light up as their questions were understood instantly, and players felt heard in real time. Technology didn’t replace the human element — it amplified it, making collaboration seamless and meaningful.
💡 Beyond drills and tactics, this clinic was about confidence, connection, and growth. The commitment and openness shown by the coaches and athletes was inspiring.

Next up ➡️ National Team Camp (9–11 Sept) – this is where the focus shifts to supporting the national coaches, enhancing their ability to guide elite athletes, refine strategies,tactics and strengthen overall performance at the highest level. 🇰🇷🔥

A huge thank you to the Korea Wheelchair Rugby Association (KWRA) for their hospitality, organisation, and full engagement throughout the clinic. Your passion for developing the game is evident, and it was an honour to be part of this journey with you. It was a real privilege to contribute to the growth and success of both the coaches and athletes. 🙌

Rob Tarr

Head of Coach Education Programmes

Photo: ©Laurent_Bagnis @bagnis.pics

• GBWR to Showcase their Women & Girls Wheelchair Talent Programme ahead of Rugby World Cup
• ‘Come & Try’ sessions, as well as matches have been scheduled in the build up to the opening ceremony
• For more information about wheelchair rugby, visit www.gbwr.org.uk

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) is set to head to Sunderland later this month, as the governing body places a spotlight on their Women & Girls Talent Programme ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
With activities planned from Tuesday 19th August to Thursday 21st August at the Beacon of Light, GBWR hopes to inspire more women & girls to take up wheelchair rugby via ‘Come & Try’ sessions and scheduled matches, both of which are open to members of the public to participate in or watch.

Wheelchair Rugby is the only mixed-gender full contact sport at the Paralympic Games & the GB team won Gold at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Since then, GBWR has been on a mission to drive more females into the sport, with the aim of increasing the talent pool.

Earlier this year, the governing body announced a landmark partnership with The Hartford, where the esteemed insurance company was revealed as the Official Insurance Partner of the GBWR Women & Girls Talent Programme. Alongside Canterbury & SiS (who also support the GB Women’s talent programme) The Hartford provides instrumental support in nurturing talent and expanding opportunities for women and girls in wheelchair rugby across Great Britain.

The funding from partners significantly enhances GBWR’s efforts to develop female talent in wheelchair rugby and allows for events such as those taking place in the North East later this month to happen.
Speaking about the planned activities, Jason Brisbane, CEO of GBWR commented: “We are thrilled to be heading to the North East to showcase our sport to new and existing rugby fans. There is going to be a brilliant atmosphere in the run up to England’s first match and we hope the public will come along to our events and show support for wheelchair rugby too. We’re on a drive to recruit more female talent to our sport and we’re keen to encourage as many women & girls as possible to come along and give the sport a go! For spectators, we’re hosting a GB women’s wheelchair rugby match against France on Thursday 21st August and we’d love to get as much GB support there as possible!“

Richard Allcroft, WWR President, said, “Good luck to GB and France as they compete ahead of the start of the Rugby World Cup in Sunderland, England. This is a great initiative being taken by wheelchair rugby to showcase the sport and provide have-a-go sessions to introduce our game to more women. WWR launched its playbook earlier in the year to increase female participation and to help nations create the right opportunities and environments to attract more female athletes. I know that the sport will be well received and encourage people to come along, especially if you haven’t seen wheelchair rugby being played before.”

Kathy Newman, WWR Director of Competitions & Development, said, “As WWR advances toward gender equity, members who host events like this play a pivotal role in achieving our long-term goals. Every opportunity we create to engage girls and women in wheelchair rugby — and to promote participation and competition — brings us one step closer to realizing our vision. Hosting “Come & Try” events specifically for women and girls provides a welcoming, inclusive environment where they can learn about the sport and be inspired to stay involved. Connecting this event with the Women’s World Cup makes it even more exciting, offering a unique platform to spotlight wheelchair rugby and celebrate the growing opportunities for women and girls in the sport.”

A ‘Come & Try’ wheelchair rugby session has been organised for Tuesday 19th August from 4-6pm, whilst a GB women’s wheelchair rugby match has been scheduled for Thursday 21st August at 5pm. All activities are taking place at the Beacon of Light, SR5 1SN.

GBWR’s Women and Girls Talent Programme is dedicated to increasing female participation in wheelchair rugby, providing pathways from grassroots involvement to elite competition. The programme delivers training camps, outreach initiatives, and mentorship opportunities, ensuring that women and girls have the equipment, resources and support needed to excel in the sport.

For more information on GBWR’s initiatives and wheelchair rugby, please visit GBWR’s official website.
For media enquiries, please contact: amy@2tonecreative.co.uk

About GBWR

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) is the national governing body for the game of wheelchair rugby in England, Scotland, and Wales, is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee, and is a full member of World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) and of the British Paralympic Association (BPA). GBWR also operates a subsidiary, GBWR Trading Limited, which manages GBWR’s commercial opportunities and sponsorship.

Wheelchair rugby is a London 2012 Paralympic Games legacy success story and GBWR has grown the sport from a domestic league with a single division comprising seven teams, to one which now has three leagues providing competition opportunities for 20 teams. The domestic league is internationally recognized for its high level of competition, where it regularly sees international players from Europe joining domestic teams and strengthening the level of competition.
The GB national team won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – the first medal of any colour for a European nation. The team are also the current European champion and have secured gold a record total of seven times since 1995.

GBWR offers the sport for young people and our junior programme provides an opportunity for those aged 8 to 17 years to experience wheelchair rugby in a junior-only environment which currently has over 90 youngsters playing the game regularly.

In recent years GBWR developed a new discipline of the game aimed at attracting those with greater functionality than the Paralympic discipline permits. Wheelchair rugby 5’s allows us to reach more people with wheelchair rugby. Although in its infancy, the discipline has proved popular with new teams developing across the country, and more recently has seen international growth through WWR.

In addition, GBWR has in the past delivered programmes in military rehabilitation centres, in conjunction with the charity Help for Heroes. Testament to this work is the military-based team which has evolved from these programmes. GBWR also provides the coaching and support for the Invictus wheelchair rugby team, where Great Britain took the gold medal in 2015.

GBWR activities are funded through a mix of government, National Lottery, commercial and philanthropic funding. UK Sport has recognised the achievement of the GB national team, with GBWR being in receipt of £3.2m of funding for the L.A cycle up until 2029. Sport England has also recognised the success of GBWR, with a four-year award totalling £1.4M to support grassroots delivery. GBWR launched their new fundraising and commercial initiative in November 2023 called 28 for 28 which aims to bring 28 partners together to transform the sport on the road to the L.A 2028 Paralympics. So far 14 partners have joined the initiative including England Rugby, Science in Sport, and Canterbury.

In 2022, GBWR launched a new brand, with a new-look logo and strategy ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

WWR are announcing the launch of the World Wheelchair Rugby Academy and it’s first pathway to be published, Wheelchair Rugby Ready. An introduction for everyone to learn about who WWR are, what we do and about the sport of wheelchair rugby.

Initially targeted for use by Member Nations to develop the sport at the national level. WWR’s aim is to provide a platform where people can learn about the sport of wheelchair rugby and how they can get involved.

Wheelchair Rugby Ready is the first course of the WWR Academy with more to come and has been achieved through a partnership with the World Academy of Sport (WAoS). With a world-class partner that specialises in education, WAoS have guided and supported WWR in developing a 10-year Education Plan.

In addition, the long-standing partnership with World Rugby has provided expertise to build capacity within WWR as an International Federation.

Chris Solly, Managing Director of World Academy of Sport commented “We are extremely excited that WWR is launching the World Wheelchair Rugby Academy today as it provides global education resources for the sport throughout the world. We at WAoS are very proud to be able to support WWR alongside World Rugby as the sport goes from strength to strength. With the use of our Censeo platform, WWR is able to connect its membership with new tools and resources that allows knowledge sharing through to quality assured certification pathways.”

The introductory course is split into five parts with an introduction and health and safety module as the two to be completed first. People can then go on to learn about coaching, officiating and classification. On completion of the five modules, people will receive a certificate, and they will be ready for wheelchair rugby.

WWR President, Richard Allcroft OBE noted “creating partnerships is one of the best ways to achieve success. As an organisation with limited resources, we have been able to launch this online introductory course with the support of World Rugby and the World Academy of Sport. I would like to thank them both, and I look forward to working with them to develop not just the athletes, but the hugely important volunteer workforce that makes our wheelchair rugby family so special.”

WWR will be launching its next courses soon as well as plans to run educational webinars. In addition, access has been provided to a WAoS Athlete Certification course.

Wheelchair Rugby Ready is free for everyone, so come along and learn more about our fast paced and exciting Paralympic sport.

Visit the new “Education” section to find out how to enrol

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World Academy of Sport – https://worldacademy.sport

At the core of WAoS, are the people that play a part in providing world leading, tailored education programmes and strategies with our partners.

Each and every individual shares the WAoS vision to provide learning pathways for participants throughout the international sport sector.

WAoS creates structural change where learning and education can assist organisations in achieving strategic goals. Get in contact if you need world leading education to empower your workforce or assist in reinventing your organisation’s business model. 

World Rugby – https://www.world.rugby

World Rugby is an international federation and a global movement comprising more than 500 million fans and eight million players within 132 national member federations affiliated through six regional associations.

Located in Dublin, Ireland, World Rugby’s purpose is to grow rugby by making it more relevant and accessible, with a vision of a global sport for all, true to its values.

The driving force behind the sport’s significant growth has been World Rugby’s portfolio of major events, from the flagship men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups and U20 Championship, that celebrates the future stars of the sport, to the excitement of the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens and HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series which are instrumental in attracting new fans.

The financial success of the men’s Rugby World Cup enables World Rugby to invest record sums in the development and growth of the sport from the playground to the podium, ensuring that the sport is as accessible and enjoyable for as many people as possible. Between 2020-23, the international federation will invest more than £565 million in the sport.

📸Marcello Zambrana @marcellozambrana

By Tim Johnson

The 2025 WWR Americas Championship took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 11-15 July. In similar fashion to other Championships, this was an event that showed the power of our sport to inspire so many through the excellent athletic performances of the athletes. Team USA dominated throughout the competition and were deserved winners of their eight title in the nine times the event has been held. They defeated Brazil in the Gold medal match 61 – 47. Brazil achieved their highest ever zone championship placing which is testament to the development of the sport within their country.

The Bronze Medal match was another display of the overall development within the region as Canada narrowly defeated Colombia in what can only be described as an epic battle and an overtime final score of 49 – 48.

The event was held at the Brazilian Paralympic Training Centre, a national facility for all Paralympic disciplines. This will also be the venue for the 2026 WWR World Championship. The two highest placing teams, not already qualified, attained qualification to next year’s World Championship. As Brazil are host next year, the teams achieving qualification are USA and Canada.

This was the first time that eight teams attended the WWR Americas Championship which shows the increased investment in the sport in South America has been fruitful. The remaining results were in 5^th place Argentina, 6^th place Chile and Paraguay 7^th place. In their first appearance at the Championship Peru placed 8^th.

As part of ongoing efforts to support and empower developing nations within the sport, a series of training games were held for developing nations.  These sessions provided valuable on-court experience and developmental opportunities for emerging officials. 

In alignment with this initiative, we are proud to announce that three Brazilian candidates have successfully earned their provisional referee license.  Please join us in welcoming Luiz Claudio Santos, Ronei Wesley Alves dos Reis and Diogo Lopes da Silva to the rugby referee family.

There were also two Brazilian trainee classifiers attending the event gaining valuable experience with the aim of achieving international certification in future.

Brazilian hosts were fantastic throughout the event and it was a pleasure to experience their amazing hospitality again on the final evening at an offsite venue. The athlete tournament awards were presented during this function to the following. Congratulations to these deserving athletes.

Class	Athlete	Team
0.5	Lucas Junqueira	Brazil
1.0	Carlos Montoya	Colombia
1.5	Yannick Racicot	Canada
2.0	Julian Vargas	Colombia
2.5	Sarah Adam	USA
3.0	Charles Aoki	USA
3.5	Julio Braz	Brazil
MVP	Gabriel Feitosa	Brazil

Special mention must go to the LOC and all the volunteers for all their efforts making this a huge success. We look forward to being welcomed back next year for the 2026 WWR World Championship from 18 – 23 August.

The new ranking system will take effect on 1 July 2025. This is based on feedback from members prior to and following presentations at the 2024 WWR Conference in Prague, there was consensus and agreement to revise the World Ranking System which has been developed and approved by the Competition Working Group. This was implemented from the 1st of July 2025.

Below is a table showing the ranking points based on the new system taking effect 1 July 2025.  The previous system points are also shown to demonstrate the change in ranking for some teams as a result of the new calculations.

There are a few small changes in ranking positions for teams ranked 16-19.

The major changes are related to teams ranked 4-7. This is due to the increase in points under the new system for teams that place 2^nd – 4^th at an event. Great Britain had several placings between 2^nd and 4^th so their new system points total has increased This is also reflective of their most recent performance at Paris 2024.

A small spreadsheet has been created to assist with calculating event weightings and possible points earnt from an event. This is available for download off the WWR website under Competition Resources.

The overall new points calculation at 1 July 2025 is shown below and includes all events contributing to the calculation. These are based on the new points for teams placing at an event, the new weighting for events and the new annual adjustment.

If you have any questions regarding the new system or how point are calculated please contact Tim Johnson via tim.johnson@wrldwheelchair.rugby.

By Rob Tarr

On June 14–15, SAWCR hosted its second League Event of the season, bringing together ten teams for an action-packed weekend of competition. Both the four Paralympic discipline teams and seven Wheelchair Rugby 5s squads took to the court, showcasing skill, strategy, and relentless determination in back-to-back games.

With the dust settled and the adrenaline still fresh, I caught up with Mandeville Head Coach Ilan Guest to find out whether the recent WWR Coach Education Workshop had influenced what we saw on court. Here’s what he had to say:

“The World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) coaching clinic hosted by Rob Tarr and Stu McLindon in South Africa in February 2025 was a game-changer for me, transforming my approach to wheelchair rugby coaching at a fundamental level.

Before attending the clinic, my coaching style focused predominantly on physical training. However, Rob and Stuart’s expert guidance has shifted my emphasis towards tactical development and driving home key concepts through creative drills and exercises. Their coaching philosophy and methods have given me a renewed sense of purpose and direction with my team.

The clinic’s interactive nature allowed for valuable discussions, questions, and sharing of experiences among other coaches in the South Africa Wheelchair Rugby League. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from Rob and Stu’s wealth of knowledge and experience in wheelchair rugby coaching. Even after the clinic, they’ve been available to answer questions, offer feedback, and share additional resources. This level of dedication and commitment to the development of wheelchair rugby coaches is truly inspiring, and I’m grateful for their ongoing support as I continue to grow and develop as a coach.

I’m already seeing the difference this new approach is making with my players on the court.  Their understanding of the game has improved significantly, and they’re executing tactics with more confidence and precision. My new coaching regimen has helped them develop a deeper understanding of the game, and they’re now making more informed decisions during matches. It’s really rewarding to see the players’ growth and development.”

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WWR Coach Education Certificates were  presented to the attending club coaches:

(Left to right) Ilan Guest, Freddy Mabika Ntumba, Petronella khanya

(Left to right) Mariné McIntyre, Table officials at the league 2 event