Author: Editor Prime

Following the introduction of Wheelchair Rugby Ready, new courses are available through the WWR Academy. Priority areas have been identified to support the development of coaches and classifiers. Signing up is easy. Go to the website and click on Education. If you haven’t already signed up to the Academy, it takes a few minutes and gives you access to all of these resources.

Classification in wheelchair rugby is important and so the development of new classifiers and educating them will help introduce people at the national level. It’s the start of their pathway towards international certification.

The course  breaks down the general process of classification from the classifier perspective. It introduces trunk testing, manual muscle testing, technical assessment and observation testing. At the end of the course there is a video exercise for the learner to try what they learned and obtain feedback.

WWR Head of Classification, Jacque Erasmus said “Consistency in decision making is crucial with classification and with education centralised globally it will help to improve this. Additionally, the launch of a specific module on how to measure limb deficiency will help support consistency not just with new people starting out in the sport but also existing internationally certified classifiers”.

With our other priority area, WWR recognise the importance of coaches in the grassroot development of clubs for national bodies. This other important area has not previously been addressed by the International Federation and so it is exciting to see the roll out of not just an “Activators Course” but also the “Intermediate Level 2”.

Rob Tarr, PLY is Head of Coaching Education and said “through WWR’s coaching pathway, the Activator course provides the foundation for those new to coaching, supporting the development of coaching skills and grassroots clubs. The Intermediate Level 2 course builds on this foundation, helping coaches deepen their knowledge, refine their practice and progress towards the performance pathway. Our aim is to turn passion for the sport into practical coaching skills, knowledge and confidence, empowering coaches to develop players, strengthen clubs and contribute to the future growth of wheelchair rugby worldwide.

Great players help build great teams, but great coaches inspire the next generation and shape the future of our sport.”

Further courses will be developed over the next 12-18 months in the other priority area of officiating with a focus on refereeing and table officiating.

All of this work has been carried out by volunteers involved in the sport and once again demonstrates the inspirational commitment of individuals. The skill sets are world class.

WWR would like to thank Rob Tarr, Head of Coaching Education and his Curriculum Advisor Group. For classification thanks to Randy Tresidder and Julie Bakke as well as the Classification Working Group for their oversight.

Wheelchair Rugby will once again be part of Rugby’s biggest global celebration will showcase the game in all its forms in 2027, with the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup set to take centre stage in Brisbane alongside Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.

World Wheelchair Rugby President, Richard Allcroft OBE, said:

“World Wheelchair Rugby is delighted to host the 2027 World Wheelchair Rugby Cup in Brisbane.

Australia has a proud history in international wheelchair rugby, and Brisbane provides an outstanding setting to bring the world’s leading teams together for a major global competition.

The success of a world class event alongside the Rugby World Cup has demonstrated the potential of bringing wheelchair rugby to new audiences alongside major international sporting events. Brisbane presents an exciting opportunity to build on that legacy and showcase the scale, quality and energy of wheelchair rugby to an even wider audience.

We look forward to working with Wheelchair Rugby Australia and our partners to deliver a World Cup that puts the athletes and the sport at the centre of a truly global sporting event.”

Taking place from 25-29 October 2027 between the Round of 16 and quarterfinals of Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup will bring the world’s best wheelchair rugby athletes to Brisbane at a time when thousands of international fans are already in the city for rugby’s premier event. Event organiser Wheelchair Rugby Australia is aiming to attract the largest crowd ever recorded for a standalone wheelchair rugby event outside of the Paralympic Games over the five-day tournament.

The alignment previously tested at Rugby World Cup 2023 in France will provide supporters with the opportunity to experience two world-class forms of rugby in Brisbane, shining a global spotlight on wheelchair rugby while reinforcing the sport’s commitment to inclusion, accessibility and opportunity for all.

With Brisbane preparing to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, where Rugby Sevens and Wheelchair Rugby are expected to be among the most exciting and engaging events on the programme, the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup represents another significant milestone in the city’s journey towards becoming one of the world’s leading destinations for inclusive sport.

Initiatives include accessible seating and viewing areas at all eight venues, sensory rooms, multi-faith spaces,  accessible digital experiences, inclusive wayfinding, workforce training and targeted employment opportunities for people with disability. Through these measures, Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 aims to create a lasting legacy for accessibility that extends well beyond the tournament itself.

World Rugby Chair, Brett Robinson said: “The alignment of the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup with Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is a powerful expression of what rugby stands for as a sport for all, and a reflection of our vision to make Australia 2027 the most accessible edition ever organised.

By bringing these two world-class events together in Brisbane, we have an incredible opportunity to introduce new audiences to wheelchair rugby, celebrate extraordinary athletes and give travelling and local fans the chance to experience another exciting form of our game during Rugby World Cup 2027.

Importantly, this is a key part to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong, regardless of their background or ability, and a powerful way to shine a global spotlight on both our sports in tandem with World Wheelchair Rugby, proving that rugby is a game for everyone.”

Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell said the Crisafulli Government was determined to secure more major international events and ensure Queenslanders benefited from the opportunities they created.

“The Crisafulli Government has made tourism a priority, backed it with record investment and we’re going after the world’s biggest events to deliver for Queenslanders,” Minister Powell said.

That means more customers for local businesses, more shifts for Queensland workers and more reasons for visitors to stay longer and explore our great State.”

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tim Mander said securing the tournament is an example of Queensland’s ambition for para sport. 

“We want Queensland to be a world leader in para sport, and its tournaments like this that highlight the importance of inclusivity and accessibility for every athlete,” 

Wheelchair Rugby Australia CEO Chris Nay said hosting the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup in Brisbane would be a landmark moment for the sport in Australia.

“This tournament is also about creating a lasting impact beyond five days of competition. Bringing the World Wheelchair Rugby Cup to Brisbane puts Australia at the centre of the international calendar and gives fans the chance to experience one of the game’s biggest events at its absolute best on home soil,” Mr Nay said.

“To be aligned with Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 is an opportunity to introduce new fans to our high-octane, entertaining, collision sport in front of record crowds on home soil and via international broadcast.

“It would be remiss of me not to mention the significant support we have received from multiple partners to bring this milestone event to life. First, we are extremely grateful to be working in partnership with the Queensland Government on this milestone event. Their vision and commitment to our sport has been exemplary across our dealings thus far.

“Similarly, the support of World Rugby, Rugby Australia, Paralympics Australia, the Australian Sports Commission and the Queensland Academy of Sport has played in influential role in securing this event. We are grateful to be working with such strong, values aligned organisations and look forward to delivering a record result for them in 2027.”

petition – strengthening the sport’s profile, creating opportunities for athletes and the wider wheelchair rugby community, and contributing to Queensland’s growing reputation as a destination for major international events.”

Australian Steelers athlete Ryley Batt, who is proud to call Queensland home, said competing for a World Cup on home soil would be a defining opportunity for the team and the sport.

“More than half of our current high-performance athletes are based in Queensland, so playing a World Cup at Nissan Arena in front of friends and family would mean everything. We want Queenslanders and fans across Australia beside us, making noise and helping create the biggest dedicated wheelchair rugby crowd the sport has seen outside the Paralympic Games.”

Together, these events will strengthen Queensland’s international profile and help build a legacy of world-class sport in the years surrounding Brisbane 2032.

The event is being delivered with the support of World Wheelchair Rugby and World Rugby and Wheelchair Rugby Australia creating a rare opportunity to connect two major international sporting audiences in Brisbane during a significant period on the global rugby calendar.

Tickets for Brisbane’s World Wheelchair Rugby Cup will go on sale in early 2027. Fans can register their interest in tickets and to be the first to know key tournament details on Wheelchair Rugby Australia’s website at www.wheelchairrugby.com.au/world-cup.

With Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 now less than a year away and 10 matches hosted in Brisbane, excitement is building as Australia prepares to welcome 24 nations across seven Host Cities for rugby’s biggest event.

Fans can secure their place in the stands now at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com and be part of the unmissable moments, fierce rivalries and unforgettable atmosphere that will define the tournament.

Premium hospitality and travel packages, including access to the Final and other highly anticipated fixtures, are also available through Rugby World Cup Experiences.

After a period of vacancy, WWR are pleased to announce that Dawn Watson, GBR has been appointed by the Board as the new Chair of the Competitions Working Group.

Dawn brings 17 years of wheelchair rugby experience to the role, from local club through to major international events. She has a deep commitment to advancing our strategic and operational goals and supporting the continued growth of the sport.

Dawn said “I’m honoured to accept the role of Chair of the Competitions Working Group and grateful for the support and confidence the Board has shown. I look forward to working with the WWR family over the coming months.”

The Competitions Working Group is responsible to advise the Board and WWR corporately on competition-related matters for the Paralympic sport of wheelchair rugby and its disciplines; amongst many duties it develops policies and procedures related to competitions, event authorisation, ranking, and qualification.  The working group also lead on the evaluation of event bids, and make recommendations for event licensing, implement the qualification system for events; and to maintain the world ranking list and competition calendar.

WWR President, Richard Allcroft said “Competitions are our core business and the working group are responsible for many important areas and I know they are always busy. I’d like to thank Dawn for accepting this position and I know she will give everything and bring her experience to the sport globally.”

Dawn recently fulfilled the Technical Delegate role for the World Championship in São Paulo, Brazil. The event was successfully delivered with 8.4 million views across social media channels.

WWR is pleased to announce that Tokyo has been selected as the host city for the 2027 World Wheelchair Rugby Asia-Oceania Championship.

“It is exciting to see the Championship taking place in Japan and the opportunity to qualify to the next Paralympic Games in Los Angeles is one that I know the team will be strongly competing for. JWRF are a leader in the Asian region and I once again want to thank them for hosting this event and continuing legacy into their planning.” – Richard Allcroft OBE, WWR President

This Championship will serve as a crucial qualification tournament, with one qualification slot for the “LA28 Paralympic Games” allocated to the Asia-Oceania region. Building on the excitement of the “Mitsui Fudosan 2023 World Wheelchair Rugby Asia-Oceania Championship”, the event will once again be held at Yoyogi National Stadium First Gymnasium, the venue that hosted Wheelchair Rugby during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. As a legacy event, JWRF aims to provide fans with an even greater spectator experience through enhanced event planning while showcasing exciting wheelchair rugby competition.

Tournament Overview

Event Name                                  
2027 World Wheelchair Rugby Asia-Oceania Championship

Dates                                               
30 June – 4 July 2027 (tentative) 
*The schedule is subject to change depending on the number of participating teams.

Venue                                             
Yoyogi National Stadium First Gymnasium
(2-1-1 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0041, Japan )

Participating Teams 　　       
4–6 teams (expected)

Host                                                  
Japan Wheelchair Rugby Federation

*Further details regarding the event, including the participating teams, will be announced as event planning progresses.

We are delighted that Tokyo has been selected to host the “2027 World Wheelchair Rugby Asia-Oceania Championship”. – Tomohisa Yamano, JWRF President

This championship will be a crucial milestone on the road to the LA28 Paralympic Games, with only one qualification slot available for the Asia-Oceania region. Our historic gold medal at the Paris Paralympic Games was made possible by first securing qualification through the 2023 Asia-Oceania Championship. In 2027, we are determined to once again overcome strong rivals, including Australia, claim the regional title, and take the first step toward defending our Paralympic gold medal in Los Angeles.

JWRF would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Shibuya City, and everyone else who provided invaluable support throughout the bid process. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our sponsors and fans for their continued encouragement. In recent years, Wheelchair Rugby has grown into a Paralympic sport that attracts the attention of many people in Japan, including through the TBS nationally broadcast television drama “GIFT”. We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the growth of our sport.

We invite everyone to experience the incredible speed and powerful collisions that are unique to wheelchair rugby by joining us at the venue. Together, we will create an outstanding championship.

Tasmyn Haynes, Simon Starr, Marcus Ross

It takes a massive amount of hard work and commitment to become certified as an International Wheelchair Rugby Referee, so it’s great to hear when new candidates achieve this milestone.

Well done Lucie Moravcovà, on becoming the first International Referee from the Czech Republic and to Marcus Ross, the latest GB Referee to achieve the high standard required. The path they had to tread was a challenging one. Firstly, they needed to be nominated by their home Governing Body as a candidate Referee. To even become a candidate, Referees need to have demonstrated over a significant period of time that they were capable of officiating at the highest levels.

On top of this, they had to pass both the fitness test and a rules test, set by WWR. The fitness test used is the Yo-Yo Test, similar to the Bleep Test that many of you will be familiar with, where you run shuttles over 20m and back at set speeds for a certain number of times, with the intervals getting shorter and shorter each time. You need to achieve Level 14.2, which is no mean feat and definitely not for the faint-hearted!

If that’s not enough, you must score 80% or more in the rules test, which tests your knowledge and interpretation of the International Rules and possible scenarios on and off the court. All of this happens before you even get invited to an International Tournament where you go through it all again. As well as having to pass the fitness test and the rules test, you also participate in the pre-tournament Chair Checks and then have your on-court performances assessed by a WWR Evaluator, all of which Lucie and Marcus did successfully, at the European B Championships held in Zaragoza, Spain at the end of May.

Their routes into Wheelchair Rugby were very different. Lucie came from a Basketball Refereeing background and after an approach from the Head Referee for Wheelchair Rugby to the Prague Basketball Referees Association, back in 2014, Lucie decided to ‘give it a go’ and the rest, as they say, is history. Conversely Marcus, a Military Physical Training Instructor, is used to coaching and refereeing many sports. His wife Vicky, was part of the GB Invictus Games team and he helped out at a Help 4 Heroes event in Plymouth, where his skills were recognised and the next thing he knew, he was on a Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Fast-Track Refereeing Course led by Dave Woods, coincidentally the Head Official in Zaragoza.

Preparation for Zaragoza was pretty intense for both of them. Lucie, usually more of a cyclist and gym-goer, began running and practiced doing the old Bleep Test, then separately revised the International Rules and the WWR Referee Casebook. Similarly, Marcus started a Marathon Running Training programme, building up his endurance by daily sessions with the family dog running alongside, providing encouragement. As he pounded the pavements, his ear pods provided an audio soundtrack of the International Rules, a great example of multitasking! In addition, he refereed at a number of European events such as Bernd Best, Rugbymania and the Musholm Cup in Denmark. Wife Vicky also played regularly in the Polish Wheelchair Rugby Fives tournaments, so Marcus would referee in Poland and benefit from some excellent guidance and feedback from experienced international officials such as Lukasz Szymczak and Jarek Malec.

Both Lucie and Marcus were absolutely delighted to be told that they were now certified International Referees. “It’s hugely gratifying to be judged by your peers and I’m someone who really values feedback, both positive and negative”, stated Marcus. All of their hard work had paid off and Marcus is already looking ahead to applying for any International Tournaments that are circulated by WWR and any opportunities to expose himself to feedback in order to improve and grow as a Referee. Just recently, he has been part of a GB and Denmark Training Camp at Lilleshall, followed by a trip to Uganda to spread the gospel with a Welsh 5s Team. For Lucie, it’s a case of organising the Referees for Rugbymania, refereeing in the Czech and Polish Leagues and the thrill of a low point Tournament in Switzerland to look forward to.

There has been a wealth of very kind and heartfelt personal messages of congratulations for both Lucie and Marcus. “The news was received very positively within the Czech Wheelchair Rugby community. I received congratulations from the former Head Referee for the Czech Republic, players, fellow referees, and my boss. My achievement was also publicly acknowledged during a Czech League event. It was a reward for all the hard work and effort I’d put into the preparations, not only for me but also for the people who supported me and stood by me. In addition, I hope that Czech Wheelchair Rugby will become even more widely recognised in the rugby world” added Lucie. GBWR have recognised Marcus’s achievement on social media, which in turn prompted many more people, including all of his fellow GB Officials to say, ‘Well done!’.

Most memorable parts of the European B Championships for Marcus were being part of a Team of Officials drawn from across the globe and the great camaraderie between them all, the games where he made mistakes, which provided learning opportunities and his first game, which was in a great Stadium, with a great partner and making his first call, which was a really strong one, refusing a players’ Equipment request, which was merely an attempt to extricate himself from a tight situation. In a very similar vein for Lucie, it was all about being part of the Championships, working with other international referees and getting feedback after each game. It helped her to improve and made the whole experience even more valuable.

WWR is delighted to welcome Lucie and Marcus to the International fold and wishes them many years officiating at the highest levels.

Simon Starr

WWR Global Media Team

Joli-Anne Levesque, Carina Joergensen, Lucie Moracova

World Wheelchair Rugby was sad to hear the recent news of the passing of David Hadfield OBE. David was the founding President of World Boccia and instrumental in creating the current International Federation.

WWR President, Richard Allcroft said “it was upsetting news to hear about David’s death only a few days ago. I was fortunate enough to spend time with David on many occasions, often discussing our respective sports, as well as the Paralympic Movement. It was amazing to see what David achieved with Boccia and I asked him to share this as part of our strategic planning in 2019. Of course, he willingly accepted. Looking back, I am so glad to have spent time with him at Paris 2024 when I attended a small gathering to see him being presented with the Paralympic Order. Even more pleased, to have grabbed a drink with him and his wife Susan afterwards. My condolences to Susan and family and all at Boccia. He will be missed.”

World Boccia have provided a fitting and moving message on their website https://www.worldboccia.com/2026/07/23/world-boccia-mourns-the-passing-of-founding-president-david-hadfield-obe/

World Wheelchair Rugby offers its condolences to the family and the Boccia community.

The 2026 WWR World Championship Event Schedule is now available!

Watch the World Championship live on the WWR YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@worldwheelchairrugby6250

World Wheelchair Rugby is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Christopher White as its new Chief Medical Officer.

Dr White is Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He completed his medical degree at the University of Oklahoma, followed by specialist training in Internal Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and a fellowship in Spinal Cord Injury Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

He has worked across a range of clinical settings, including Baylor Scott and White in Dallas, Froedtert Hospital, and the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, with a career focused on spinal cord injury care, rehabilitation, and adaptive sport. He is also committed to educating future specialists in the field.

Dr White has extensive experience in adaptive sport at the local, national, and international level.  He regularly provides medical coverage to his local adaptive sports partners including coverage for wheelchair basketball, American football, lacrosse, pickleball, and of course, his favourite adaptive sport, Wheelchair Rugby of which he is also a Level 1 Classifier.  He has served on the medical team for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and as a member of the National Classification team for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games as well.  As a member of the USA Wheelchair Football Classification team, he was involved in establishing the classification scheme as the new sport was established.  He remains actively involved in clinical research related to adaptive athletes including collision/impact studies for wheelchair rugby athletes and concussion testing for adaptive athletes

As CMO, Dr White will provide strategic medical guidance to WWR, supporting athlete welfare, anti-doping, and medical best practice across wheelchair rugby.

WWR looks forward to Dr White’s contribution to the continued development of the sport.

The WWR President is speaking at IWG’s Global Summit – will you join him?

Richard Allcroft OBE said “I’m proud to be part of the first wave of speakers announced for the IWG Global Summit 2026 – a defining global moment for women and girls in sport.”

Positioned as the Davos of Women’s Sport, the Summit will bring together a powerful international network of leaders, academics, practitioners and changemakers who are ready to move from conversation to action.

Join us as we share, connect and shape more and better opportunities for women and girls in and through sport.

See you there?

📅 9–11 July 2026 | Birmingham, UK

 🔗 Book your place https://iwgglobalsummit2026.org  

 #IWG #IWGGlobalSummit

—

The IWG Global Summit promises to be the world’s foremost gathering of leaders in sport, providing a platform for sharing best practices and the latest insights affecting women and girls in sport and physical activity.

Set against a moment of unprecedented opportunity, the Summit will serve as a catalyst for change – accelerating progress, challenging the status quo and uniting global voices around a common goal.

Our ambition is clear: to establish the Summit as the ‘Davos of Women’s Sport’ – the place where the world’s sport leaders, thinkers and changemakers come together to shape the future of gender equality in sport on a global scale.

Staged across three dynamic days, the Summit will provide an unparalleled opportunity to engage, learn and network with senior decision-makers and policymakers – and to be part of the solution in creating a sporting system where all women and girls can thrive.

Dr Lindsay Starling is Science and Medical Manager at World Rugby, where she connects research, policy and practice to advance player welfare. With a PhD focused on head injuries in rugby, she has led injury surveillance and research initiatives across international rugby organisations and continues to support evidence-based approaches to injury prevention.

Focus:

This presentation will provide a strategic overview of the evolution of concussion management in able-bodied rugby, highlighting the key milestones that have shaped current practice. It will explore how approaches have progressed across the system, including developments in injury surveillance, pitch-side assessment protocols, graduated return-to-play frameworks, education strategies, governance structures, and law adaptations.

A central focus will be on implementation, examining how research has translated into policy, and how policy has been embedded into practice across different levels of the game. The session will consider the factors that have enabled or challenged adoption, including stakeholder engagement, global dissemination, technology integration, and monitoring of effectiveness.

Finally, the presentation will reflect on how elements of this journey may be transferable to para-sport and wheelchair rugby contexts, while also aligning with World Rugby’s current strategic priorities and future directions for research and player welfare.