Author: Editor Prime

Eric Post, PhD, ATC is the Manager of Sports Medicine Research at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), where he leads injury and illness surveillance and concussion research for Team USA. He is co-Principal Investigator of the Para SCAT6 initiative, which is developing and validating concussion assessment tools for Para sport athletes.

Focus:

The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6) is widely used in elite sport but has not been adapted or validated for Para athletes, a gap that represents both a clinical challenge and an issue of equity. This presentation will introduce the Para SCAT6-Wheelchair (WC) initiative: an evidence-informed project to develop, validate, and establish the reliability and clinical utility of a modified SCAT6 for athletes who use wheelchairs as their primary means of mobility.

I will describe the collaborative development summit held at USOPC headquarters in February 2025, which brought together 20 international experts, including clinicians, researchers, and Para athletes, to generate the first draft of the Para SCAT6-WC. I will outline the three key areas of modification (demographic/functional assessments, coordination and balance testing, and postural control and vestibular-ocular components), share lessons learned from the development process, and preview next steps including content validation, reliability testing, and prospective clinical evaluation.

Dr Tom O’Brien is a Lecturer in Applied Disability and Para Sport at Loughborough University, specialising in performance optimisation within Paralympic sport through integrated physiological, biomechanical, and data-driven approaches. Alongside his academic role, he has extensive applied experience within wheelchair rugby, having supported the GB Wheelchair Rugby programme across the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic cycles as part of the multidisciplinary team, leading sports science and strength and conditioning provision.

His applied work has included athlete profiling, fitness testing, and the design and delivery of tailored training, recovery, and performance monitoring interventions, contributing to performance outcomes at the highest level. He has also led innovation and knowledge exchange initiatives with national and international governing bodies, translating research into practical tools for athletes, coaches, and practitioners.

His current research focuses on advancing data-informed practice in wheelchair sports, including mobility performance analytics, fatigue monitoring, and concussion research. In particular, his work aims to better understand the forces experienced by wheelchair athletes and their relationship to concussion risk, with the goal of informing prevention and management strategies.

Tom will act as chair and facilitator throughout the webinar, guiding discussion across sessions and drawing connections between presentations. He will contribute applied practitioner insight from wheelchair rugby concussion management and return-to-play decision-making, and will lead the final discussions to identify shared research priorities and opportunities for future collaboration.

📅 31 March 2026

⏰ 14:00 – 16:00 UTC

Register here: https://academy.worldwheelchair.rugby/?academy=128&course=7710

World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) has announced a new opportunity for a Program Manager to support its international programs, with a strong focus on global development and gender equity.

The role, offered as a full-time remote contract, will play a key part in strengthening the sport worldwide. The successful candidate will support competition development, including pathways to the Paralympic Games and World Championships, while also helping develop new events and maintain global rankings.

In addition to supporting competitions, the Program Manager will support initiatives aimed at expanding participation—particularly among women—by working closely with WWR’s Women’s Advisory Group. The role also involves collaborating with international partners, regional leaders, and working groups to grow the sport and improve communication across member nations.

A significant part of the position includes identifying funding opportunities, managing program budgets, and delivering an annual operational plan aligned with WWR’s strategic goals.

WWR is looking for candidates with experience in sports administration, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects independently. Knowledge of parasport or wheelchair rugby is considered an advantage.

The three-year contract offers a salary of $50,000–$56,000 USD, with applications opening on March 18 and closing on April 12. The successful candidate is expected to begin in June 2026.

Timeline and How to Apply

• Applications open: 18 March
• Deadline: 12 April
• Interviews: 20–28 April
• Start date: 1 June

Send a cover letter and CV to: office@worldwheelchair.rugby

For the full job description click here: https://worldwheelchair.rugby/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WWR-Program-Manager-Position-available.pdf

World Wheelchair Rugby are proud to unveil our latest Strategic Plan, building on the foundations laid in our previous phases from 2015–2018 and 2019–2024.

Across both of these periods, our ambition has remained clear and consistent, reflecting the spirit of our sport at every level. Our athletes embody this ambition. Each has their own story—overcoming adversity or continuing to navigate the challenges of daily life with a disability—always with resilience. These experiences shape our values and are reflected both on and off the court.

While we are proud of the progress made, we recognise that achieving our strategic goals has not always been easy. There are a number of factors behind this, but one of the most significant has been organisational capacity.

As we move forward, this new Strategic Plan builds on what we have learned, strengthening our foundations so we can continue to grow and support wheelchair rugby worldwide.

View the Strategic Plan here: https://worldwheelchair.rugby/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WWR-STRATEGIC-PLAN.pdf

WWR is pleased to share the bid documents to host the 2030 World Championships.
Hosting the tournament is available to all eligible nations as identified in the documents provided.

The bid documents can be found below:

Event Requirements
Host Application
Host Selection Process

Should any nation be interested in bidding please inform the WWR Office asap 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.
If you have any questions / queries please do not hesitate to contact the WWR Office office@worldwheelchair.rugby

WWR is pleased to share the bid documents to host the 2027 WWR Zonal Championships.
Hosting the tournament is available to all eligible nations as identified in the documents provided.

The bid documents can be found below:
Event Requirements
Host Application
Host Selection Process

Should any nation be interested in bidding please inform the WWR Office asap 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.
If you have any questions / queries please do not hesitate to contact the WWR Office office@worldwheelchair.rugby

The Défi sportif AlterGo 2026, in collaboration with the Canadian Women’s Rugby Program, will host its first-ever Canadian National Women’s Championships in Montreal from April 23 to 26, 2026.

This milestone event reflects a growing movement at all levels to expand and strengthen the women’s game. Canada is proud to support this momentum by creating a dedicated space where female athletes can compete at an elite international level.

The long-term vision is to establish this tournament as an annual event, attracting teams from around the world. In addition, individual players without a team will have the opportunity to register and take part.

Women’s wheelchair rugby continues to gain importance among athletes, and this tournament will serve as a powerful platform to showcase the sport, celebrate its athletes, and inspire its future growth.

Link to event website: Défi sportif AlterGo – The largest annual multisport event in Canada

©Laurent_Bagnis @bagnis.pics.

In 2026, wheelchair rugby will reach an important milestone with the organization of the first Women’s Wheelchair Rugby World Championship in Paris from December 1 to 5.

This is an important moment for our sport. For the first time, women’s national teams will compete in an official world championship. Players will be able to aim for national selection, wear their country’s jersey, represent their colors and continue writing the history of wheelchair rugby.

Having an international goal changes the perspective. It gives players something concrete to work toward. It allows nations to identify their talents and organize their development.

Since 2015, the Women’s Cup has paved the way, led by CAP SAAA, a club that took the challenge of creating space and opportunity for women where none truly existed. It started with 12 athletes. Then 42 in 2023. Then 60 in 2024, representing 18 nations. National teams began to emerge, the level of play increased and international visibility grew.

This World Championship is the natural continuation of that journey. It confirms that women’s wheelchair rugby has established its place and continues to grow.

Today, developing the women’s game is not secondary. It is an opportunity to expand participation, strengthen national programs and move the sport forward. In many countries, women remain underrepresented in high-level parasport, even though the potential is clearly there.

On the court, the commitment, the contact and the technical quality speak for themselves. Anyone who watches quickly understands. Women’s wheelchair rugby brings intensity and quality that enrich the whole discipline.

In 2026, the week will include two complementary competitions: the first Women’s World Championship for national teams, and the Women’s Cup, faithful to its development mission, allowing athletes from countries without structured national programs to continue competing, progressing and gaining international experience.

This first Women’s World Championship will give players a clear objective and offer nations a concrete path forward.

The future of women’s wheelchair rugby and wheelchair rugby as a whole is being built now. It is up to all of us to continue writing it.

See you in Paris from December 1 to 5 for this journey that will make us all proud.

Sophia Azzi & Ryadh Sallem

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