Author: Editor Prime

The WWR Board wishes to recognise and support the humanitarian efforts that are taking place in many countries following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Many of our Member Nations and individuals of the wheelchair rugby family will have supported the aid efforts already. World Wheelchair Rugby encourages you to donate as we have towards the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and for those who also wish to donate, a link is available in this website article. https://www.unhcr.org

Our thoughts are with all of those people displaced by the continued devastation inflicted on the country and the Ukrainian people.

From the Board of World Wheelchair Rugby

WWR is delighted to announce that the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby European Qualification Championship will be hosted by the Norwegian Rugby Association at Skien Fritidspark. 

Four days of competition will commence Wednesday 7^th September 2022 with finals day on Saturday 10^th September 2022. 10 European Wheelchair Rugby National teams will be competing for places at the European Championship 2023 to be hosted by Great Britain to be held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales in late April early May 2023.

Richard Allcroft, WWR President said: “I’d like to thank Erik Baret from the Norwegian Rugby Federation for his drive and commitment to wheelchair rugby. It has been a dream of his for many years to bring an exciting event to Norway. The challenges of the pandemic over the last two years have brought about an opportunity to host a larger gathering of our European Nations. A 10 team European Championship Qualifying Championship that forms part of the pathway to the Paralympic Games and World Championship. Good luck to all involved and I look forward to seeing you in Norway”.

Kathy Newman WWR Head of Competitions stated

“The WWR Competitions Working Group is thrilled to see the upcoming 2022 WWR European Qualification Championship being hosted in Norway for the first time.  This is an exciting move forward for the Norwegian Rugby Association as they move to implementing a hosting program and growing their national team program.  Hosting events offers many valuable benefits and Norway is already reaping benefits through the support of their government ensuring a lasting legacy for wheelchair rugby in Norway.  WWR looks forward to working closely with Erik Baret and his team in delivering an exceptional tournament.

Erik Baret of the Norwegian Rugby Federation

The Norwegian Rugby Federation is looking forward to welcome teams from the European Wheelchair Rugby family to Norway, and the world class venue at Skien Fritidspark with their impeccable accessibility both in the venue and hotel. We have been working for many years on both expanding the wheelchair Rugby community in Norway, and developing our organising skills with club, regional and national events. The time has come to take it a step further and host a WWR licensed event. The development of wheelchair rugby in Norway, our ability to host WWR licensed events, will get a significant boost from hosting this event. We look forward to work closely with WWR and its resource personnel.

Per Thorkildsen President Norwegian Rugby Federation
The Norwegian Rugby Federation is proud to be allocated this tournament and are looking forward to welcome all the athletes , their support staff and officials to Norway. For us it shows the strength of our federation where wheelchair rugby and rugby Union work together under one umbrella to grow both sports.  I wish to thank the WWR for the approval and all involved in Norway to make this happen. See you in Norway this September!

For further information please contact Kathy Newman (knewman@iwrf.com)

About WWR.

WWR is the global governing body responsible for the sport of wheelchair rugby, and a member of the International Paralympic Committee. The mission of WWR is to grow and support the global Wheelchair Rugby Family, with a vision to be a world leader in Para Sport. For more information, please visit our website at worldwheelchair.rugby or email office@worldwheelchair.rugby

It is with great sadness that WWR announce the passing of Luiz Claudio Alves Pereira President of the Brazilian Wheelchair Ruby federation.

An athlete, director, father, and grandfather. A person etched in the history of Brazilian Wheelchair Rugby.

“It was with great sadness that I heard of the passing of my friend and colleague Luiz Claudio Alves Pereira. Luiz passed away suddenly at our Americas Championship in Colombia. My thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends. It is with huge respect that the competition continues and I know that the Brazilian wheelchair rugby team will compete hard in his memory” – Richard Allcroft, WWR President

Luiz Claudio Alvez Pereira, 10/06/1961 – 08/03/2022

VACANCY: Coach – French National Wheelchair Rugby Team

The French Handisport Federation are seeking to appoint the federations new Wheelchair Rugby coach. The successful candidate is responsible for the selection, supervising, and managing the French Team.

Deadline for submitting applications is 12pm, March 28, 2022. With interviews scheduled between the 04/04/2022 and 08/04/2022.

For further information about the role and how to apply click here.

WWR Board Statement Following the Russian Invasion of Ukraine

WWR Board deplores and condemns Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine and the continuing devastation inflicted on the country and the Ukrainian people.

In response to these events, the WWR Board has today decided that Russian national wheelchair rugby teams and officials will not be permitted to participate in WWR licensed competitions. In a related decision, the Board further decided that WWR events hosted in Russia or Belarus will not be licenced by WWR. These decisions are to be implemented with immediate effect with the on-going situation under continuous monitoring.

The WWR wishes to express its concern and support for the Ukrainian population endangered by the conflict and together with other international sporting bodies, calls for the rapid restoration of peace.

Belarus are not members of WWR.

From the Board of World Wheelchair Rugby

France on home soil emerged victorious at the 2022 World Wheelchair Rugby European Championship Division A tournament. Becoming the first victors of an action-packed year of international Wheelchair Rugby. Having defeated current Paralympic and winners of the past three European Championships Great Britain in the final.

The tournament hosted at the Halle Georges Carpentier, Paris. Saw the home nation run out 44-43 winners in the Gold Medal game, helping France to secure the victory and build upon two successive third place finishes.  

2019 runners up Denmark finished the tournament in the Bronze medal position beating Germany 58-52. Switzerland beat Russia 53-40 to claim fifth and sixth respectively. Poland was beaten 49-42 by The Netherlands to decide the tournaments seventh and eighth placed countries.

The tournament which doubles up as the European qualifiers for the 2022 World Championships means that France, Great Britain, Germany, Denmark (as hosts) and Switzerland have booked their places to the tournament held in October.

International Wheelchair Rugby tournaments on the horizon are:

The Americas Championship, 6-13 March, Medellin Colombia
The 2022 World Games, 14-17 July, Birmingham USA
The 2022 World Championship, 8-17 October, Vejle Denmark

Tournament results:

Day 1:
Germany 63 – 55 The Netherlands
Denmark 62 – 45 Russia
Great Britain 55 – 38 Poland
France 49 – 32 Switzerland

Day 2:
Poland 38 – 43 The Netherlands
Switzerland 42 – 50 Russia
France 50 – 46 Denmark
Great Britain 64 – 52 Germany

Day 3:
Denmark 63 – 37  Switzerland
Great Britain 57 – 37 The Netherlands
Germany 52 – 36 Poland
France 60 – 37 Russia

Day 4:
Russia 1 – 0 Poland
Netherlands 39 – 43 Switzerland
France 55 – 42 Germany
Denmark 48 – 55 Great Britain

Day 5:
Poland 42 – 49 The Netherlands
Russia 40 – 53 Switzerland
Germany 52 – 58 Denmark
France 44 – 43 Great Britain

We started the day with the first match at 10 am in which Poland and The Netherlands fought strongly for the winning position. The Netherlands won 43-38 after a close contesting game with Poland.

Next, at 12:30 am, the Swiss vs Russia match got underway. With another close game, Russia grasped the win 50 points ahead of the 42 points of Switzerland. A compelling game with lots of talented competitors!

We then continued at 3:30 pm with the French vs Denmark match. With a strongly contested match throughout, France took victory over Denmark to win 50-46.

To close out an exciting day 2 of the competition, Great Britain took the win over Germany 64-52.

With each game being closely contested, it’s a must watch tournament! With equally talented competitors, such as France and Denmark who fought hard in their match up yesterday, Day 2 lead to great victories but teams also disappointed with their losses.

However, the competition isn’t finished at all! With an exciting day 3 ahead of us, we are guaranteed a fierce day of competition. Tomorrow, we will start the day at 10 am with the Switzerland vs Denmark match. Then, Great Britain will take on the Netherlands at 12:30am. Next, at 3:30 pm, Germany and Poland will clash. To finish this day at 6pm, France and Russia will fight for the victory.

Be sure to tune into the livestreams of each game!

https://handisport-studio.tv/sportitemset/6203c6e33562ccd0eecbcc67

The inaugural day of competition at the WWR European Championship Division A is a wrap! We started the day at 10 am with the Germany – Netherlands match up, Germany won 63 points in front of 55 points for the Netherlands. The action continued with a match up between Denmark and Russian. Denmark running out winners 62 points in front of 45 points for Russia.
The afternoon session started with Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gold medalists Great Britain taking on Division A newcomers Poland. Great Britain completing the victory with a margin of 55 points to 38. The day finished with the event hosts France taking on another Division A newcomers, Switzerland. The day ended with France winning the match up 49 to 32.

Tune into day two of action tomorrow via LIVESTREAM – CHAMPIONNAT D’EUROPE – RUGBY FAUTEUIL (rugbyfauteuil-euro2022.com) tomorrows schedule is as follows:

Poland – Netherlands
Switzerland – Russian
France – Denmark
Great Britain – Germany

World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) Anti-Doping Manager (ADM) is establishing a new Anti-Doping Committee (ADC) and is looking for volunteers to contribute to this vital committee.

The ADC duties are:

Develop and implement policies and procedures and make recommendations to the WWR Board of Directors and General Assembly on matters relating to anti-doping, including:

• Maintaining and updating the WWR Anti-Doping Rules;
• Standards for anti-doping, including in-competition and out-of-competition testing and the Registered Testing Pool;
• Oversight of external providers of anti-doping services contracted to WWR;
• Anti-doping awareness and education;
• Assistance to event organizers on anti-doping requirements; and

The ADC will meet virtually no more than four times a year.

Committee members should have experience in anti-doping matters. Experience in sport for athletes with an impairment will be an asset.

If you are interested in contributing, please submit your cv/resume to (office@worldwheelchair.rugby). You can also find out more about WWR ADC from the ADM, Eron Main, please contact him at antidoping@iwrf.com.  

Please send in your expression of interest by February 28, 2022.

World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) Anti-Doping Manager (ADM) is establishing a new Therapeutic Exemption (TUE) Panel and is looking for volunteers to contribute to this vital panel.

The TUE Panel duties are:

• To review and decide on TUE applications for athletes in the WWR Registered Testing Pool. 
  • To review TUE decisions made by other bodies to determine if an appeal should be made.

The TUE Panel will meet virtually as required to review and decide on TUE applications.

Panel members must be licensed physicians. Members should have experience in the care and treatment of Athletes, and sound knowledge of clinical, sports and exercise medicine. Expertise in the treatment of Athletes with physical impairments is an asset.

If you are interested in contributing, please submit your cv/resume to (office@worldwheelchair.rugby). You can also find out more about WWR TUE Panel from the ADM, Eron Main, please contact him at antidoping@iwrf.com.  

Please send in your expression of interest by February 28, 2022.