Author: Editor Prime

Loughborough University is set to collaborate with World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR), Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR), and UK Sport on a study that researchers hope will increase female participant levels in the sport.

Delivered by colleagues from the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, the project will measure the impact of impairment on strength and sports-related sprints, evaluating the current competition rule that allows an additional 0.5 points for every female athlete on court. 

Current policy in wheelchair rugby states that a team of four players can play with a maximum point score of 8.0.

Wheelchair rugby is an open sport that can be played by any individual who has been classified regardless of their gender. Team coaches can include female athletes on court with the current rules allowing an additional 0.5 points for every female athlete competing.

The research will look to determine whether the difference in arm and trunk muscle strength between male and female players is appropriate for the 0.5-point addition and whether other additional changes could help involve more female athletes.

The project will also provide additional opportunities for women to train together in a camp environment and will conclude with a wheelchair rugby symposium in 2025.

Vicky Tolfrey, Professor of Applied Disability Sport and Director of the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport said: “This project is a natural progression from some earlier work with WWR that the Peter Harrison Centre was involved with several years ago. We have worked on classification related projects with the Para sports of Para canoe and Wheelchair basketball so it’s fantastic that we continue to add further work with WWR to our portfolio.

“There is so much interest in women’s sport at the moment and this is a great way to engage and learn more in how we can make the Para sport more inclusive.”

The number of female athletes in international teams still remains low, with fewer than 10% of registered players identifying as female at the 2022 World Championships in Denmark.

Richard Allcroft, WWR President, said: “During our recent review of the current strategic plan, it was noted that there wasn’t enough emphasis on how we increase female athletes into the sport.

“For me, having this research take place will underpin our strategic objectives. The opportunity of this research alongside the Women’s Cup in Paris has been achieved by developing our partnership with the Peter Harrison Centre.

“I’d also like to thank the organisers of the event for making this possible and understanding how this may help shape the game in the future.”

Jason Brisbane, CEO of GBWR said: “GBWR are proud to be part of this strategic initiative to increase then number of women playing wheelchair rugby not just across GB, but across the world.

“Many people are unaware that wheelchair rugby teams can be comprised of both men and women. This project creates a unique opportunity to gain the insights and learnings needed to attract, retain, and develop women in wheelchair rugby.”

Jen Browning, International Relations Advisor at UK Sport, added:“Wheelchair rugby is an incredible showcase of skill, grit and determination, but with female athletes underrepresented at all levels of the sport it’s vitally important that we focus on increasing female participation in the sport and ensure that women have equal opportunities to get involved.

“That’s why this project is so exciting, with its emphasis on finding creative new ways to increase women’s participation and remove barriers from grassroots all the way to the Paralympics.

“As part of UK Sport’s ambition to use the power and platform of sport to inspire positive change, we’re excited to support wheelchair rugby to become an even greater showcase of inclusivity by increasing the number of female athletes on court and bringing this incredible sport to a wider, more diverse audience.”

Loughborough’s Dr Thomas Rietveld will lead the testing with athletes from various countries at the upcoming Wheelchair Rugby Women’s Cup in Paris, France.

Dr Viola Altmann, a Visiting Clinical Fellow, and Dr Mike Hutchinson, a Visiting Fellow within the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University are supporting the project.

The first findings of the study are due to be published towards the end of the third quarter of 2023.

The event takes place in Paris on the 10th and 11th of March, with training taking place on Thursday the 9th. More information can be found on the WWR website – https://worldwheelchair.rugby/upcoming-events/

For more information about classification within the Paralympic discipline, please visit the following website page – https://worldwheelchair.rugby/the-game-classifications/

Host nation for LA28 grapple with next year’s Paralympic Games hosts, France – WWR World Championship, Denmark 2022

WWR are proud to announce that following an extensive International Federation application and review process, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board has approved 22 sports for inclusion in the LA28 Paralympic Games, including Wheelchair Rugby. A total of 33 sports had applied to be part of the 2028 Games.

Richard Allcroft, WWR President said “whilst I was confident with the level of our application, I was aware there were many new sports seeking inclusion in LA 2028. We have a great sport, that I know will continue to attract spectators and broadcast attention.”

The other 21 sports that have been approved for inclusion are para-badminton, Boccia, blind football, goalball, para-judo, para-canoe, para-equestrian, para-table tennis, wheelchair tennis, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair basketball, para-archery, para-athletics, para powerlifting, sitting volleyball, para-swimming, para-rowing, shooting para-sport, para-taekwondo, para-triathlon and para-cycling.

Andrew Parsons, the IPC President, said: “Determining these sports for inclusion to the LA28 Paralympic Games through the International Federation application process was a tremendously difficult job for the IPC Governing Board as we received 33 excellent applications. All International Federations who submitted applications should be congratulated on the quality of their submissions as they underline that all Para sports are getting stronger.

“The sports we have included in the LA28 Paralympic Games provide a competitive and attractive sport programme that will showcase the diversity of the Paralympic Movement.”

Casey Wasserman, LA28’s Chairperson, said: “The LA28 Paralympic Games will be an incredible moment for elite adaptive sport against the backdrop of one of the most diverse and inclusive cities on the planet. We’re looking forward to bringing a remarkable Paralympic sports programme to life that will create an exceptional Games experience for athletes and fans. LA28 has always been about integrating the creative energy of LA into sports tradition to bring new fans into the Olympic and Paralympic Movement. As we explore potential new sports, we will consider how best to elevate the athlete and fan experience and contribute to the overall success of the Games.”

Kathy Newman WWR Director of Competitions and Development, said: “The inclusion of Wheelchair Rugby in the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games is a reflection of the growth of the organization globally.  I am really proud of the commitment the members and leaders have in developing the sport from grassroots to the Paralympic stage.  We are thrilled to be a part of LA28 and look forward to working closely with the IPC and OCOG to ensure a successful event.”

Tim Johnson WWR Head of Competitions, said: “I am very excited by the knowledge that we have been included in the sports programme for Los Angeles 2028. We were able to show case our sport during our recent World Championship in Denmark in 2022 and show via the live streaming and broadcast, how competitive our sport has become. Although 2028 may appear far into the future, we all know how quickly the event will become our major focus, and are very aware of the work that will soon need to be undertaken to ensure we maintain, or improve, the amazing spectacle our sport has become.”

At its General Assembly (November 26, 2022 ), the World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) members voted in favour to suspend the Russian Federation as a member in good standing. A motion was presented by the Polish Wheelchair Rugby Federation and approved by the membership. Before the voting took place, all members, including Russia, had the opportunity to provide their position on the matter to the General Assembly. For a motion to be passed, 50%+1 votes are required.

Earlier this year, the WWR Board of Directors issued a statement condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Moreover, the WWR Board decided that Russian national wheelchair rugby teams and officials would not be permitted to participate in WWR licensed competitions, nor would it permit WWR events to be hosted in Russia or Belarus.

Related article – WWR Board statement (March 2022) – https://worldwheelchair.rugby/2022/03/04/wwr-board-statement-following-the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine/

The official competition draw for the 2023 WWR European Championship will be held at the iconic location of Cardiff Castle at 5.30pm, Monday 12 December, before tickets go on sale on Tuesday 13 December. Held on Welsh soil for the first time, the Principality Stadium – home of Welsh rugby – will play host to the championship from 3-7 May 2023. The Championship is supported with UK Sport investment from The National Lottery and by various partners including WWR, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby, Welsh Rugby Union and the Welsh Government. As one of Wales’s leading heritage attractions, Cardiff Castle will provide a spectacular backdrop for the draw that determines which teams will go head-to-head in the opening pool stages of the tournament.

Performing the official draw for the event in the Cardiff Castle will be Richard Allcroft, World Wheelchair Rugby President and a special guest. Also in attendance will be Great Britain’s Stuart Robinson MBE and Great Britain Head Coach Paul Shaw MBE, as well as Justin Frishberg, representing the French team as current defending European champions and Jane Hutt, Welsh Minister for Social Justice. Players from local wheelchair rugby clubs will also act as flagbearers for each of the eight countries competing at the event; Great Britain, France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, Israel and Czech Republic.

The format of the draw will consist of the eight competing nations being drawn into two pools. Nations will be paired based on their world rankings, with the lowest ranked pair being drawn first into separate pools. This continues until the final pair, when host nation Great Britain, represented by GB Head Coach Paul Shaw, selects the pool they wish to join.

Following the draw, on Tuesday 13 December tickets for the event will go on sale, with email subscribers enjoying an early bird offer of 10% off ticket prices.

Speaking ahead of the draw, Event Director Chris Walker commented: “We’re delighted that Cardiff Castle is the venue to host the official competition draw for our event. As an instantly recognisable Welsh location with over 2000 years of history, it is fitting that we start our European Championship story here before heading to the Principality Stadium next May, an equally iconic location that we feel privileged to bring wheelchair rugby to.

“We really hope that this is just the start – that rugby-loving Welsh fans will really get behind this spectacular sport for what is set to be an incredible event held for the first time in Wales.”

Jane Hutt, Minister for Social Justice, added: “It is fantastic that the 2023 WWR European Championship will be held in Wales and the official draw brings us one step closer to the showpiece event.

“We have given our full backing to this tournament and wish it the best of success. Fans will be in for a treat when the action starts and we hope it encourages many to take up the sport.”

Richard Allcroft said: “I’m looking forward to wheelchair rugby coming to Wales in May 2023. Wales has a strong history with rugby and I’m confident that we will be welcomed to Cardiff by the Welsh people.

“If you haven’t seen Paralympic wheelchair rugby being played before, you are in for a treat. It’s a competitive and full contact sport and the best athletes in Europe will treat you to a great show; what a great opportunity to see the sport showcased in the national stadium of Wales.”

The competition draw will be live streamed via the Channel 4 YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQkwXtAdFsA.

Further information on tickets, which go on sale Tuesday 13 December, can be found here: https://wreuro23.com/tickets/.

Find out more about the 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship here: https://wreuro23.com/.

Wednesday 7^th December saw the second World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) Sports Science and Sports Medicine Conference in partnership with the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport. The sessions brought together practitioners, coaches, medical staff and students interested in sports science, medicine, physiotherapy, strength and conditioning and coaching. The sessions organised with The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport who aim to improve knowledge about Paralympic sport and to promote the substantial health and quality of life benefits that can be gained through participation in disability sport and physical activity.

The Session was introduced by WWR President, Richard Allcroft who said “I was really pleased to see the second edition of the WWR Medical Symposium taking place and a huge thank you to Vicky Tolfrey and the Peter Harrison Centre for making this happen. There was a real focus on athlete welfare and performance, and I’d certainly encourage people to look back at sessions that are relevant to them”

The session also saw a presentation from WWR’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ken Lee who presented at the conference on Concussion Management in Wheelchair Athletes. Speaking about the event Ken Lee said “As the world recovers from the COVID pandemic, connecting and sharing of minds around the world with simple goal of improving welfare of our wheelchair rugby participants is a must.” And gave thanks to the organisers of the conference “Thank you Vicky Tolfrey and her group in making this a reality with the WWR Medical Symposium for the 2^nd time.  Your work and everyone participating in the symposium is key to healthy sport”

For those that attended the live sessions, certificates were made available to contribute to ongoing studies.

Look out for future events through the WWR social media channels.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube

The recordings are now available to watch here: 

Recording 1: Session 1 Presentations- https://lboro.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=74a0f9fb-d938-4a4a-9305-af6c009f7337

Recording 2: Session 1 Q&A- https://lboro.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=24c8f544-137c-45b5-a74b-af6c00990012

Recording 3: Session 2 part 1-https://lboro.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=f50a9c45-d26a-4dbd-8702-af6c009bba80

Recording 4: Session 2 Part 2- https://lboro.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=402f9ff1-098a-4189-8ef4-af6c009a32b6

Or visit the event page: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/research/phc/science-of-wheelchair-rugby-2022/

Veijle, Denmark – Wheelchair Rugby Canada (WRC) and World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) congratulates the long-serving CEO Cathy Cadieux on her induction into the WWR Hall of Fame. Inducted as a builder, Cathy served WWR (formerly IWRF) for 19 years on their Board of Directors.

“I am proud to have been part of a volunteer Board of Directors that has led WWR to become one of the most respected organizations in the Parasport and IPC communities,” said Cathy.

WWR President, Richard Allcroft said “it was a real pleasure to welcome Cathy onto the stage in Denmark and induct her formally into the Hall of Fame. It was a sign of Cathy’s character, that she noted her involvement in building the sport was for the people present in the room, the teams, athletes, volunteers, healthcare professionals, officials and all. It is their sport.

Cathy was right there at the start when WWR became an independent International Federation in 2010. Her leadership was instrumental in establishing the organisation, particularly in developing the appropriate financial systems which she setup and provided oversight of throughout her tenure. I wish Cathy all the best with her next endeavour.“

Cathy was officially inducted at 2022 World Championships this October. She joins current inductees: Duncan Campbell, Pawel Zbieranowski and players Garett Hickling Naz Erdem and Cliff Chunn that hold the honour.

“I have to say that whatever I have contributed to WWR over the past nineteen years has been returned to me one hundred-fold.”

ABOUT WWR HALL OF FAME

The WWR Hall of Fame was established to recognize people who have been influential to wheelchair rugby, both on and off the court. This is the ultimate honour that WWR can bestow; criteria for induction into this elite group must be such that only those people who have significantly influenced the game or have been inspirational will be considered.

By Nathan Bragg for World Wheelchair Rugby

The 2022 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship tips-off on Monday in Vejle with two exciting matches to start the tournament.

Host Denmark will open the competition against debutants Brazil in a battle between the bronze medalists of the European and American Zones in a Pool B clash.

Following the opening match, Paralympic champions Great Britain face  Switzerland, who return to the world championship for the first time since finishing 11th sixteen years ago in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Match #1: Denmark vs. Brazil 

An intriguing match to start the tournament between two unfamiliar foes. The 7th-ranked Danes and 9th-ranked Brazilians have only met once at the 2016 Metro Cup in Poland, where the Danes emerged victorious.

Seeded 4th and 5th in their pool, this could be a tight one as both sides look to get off to a winning start.

The Great Danes will want to put on a show for the home fans and hopefully inspire more spectators to get behind them as the week goes on. 

Denmark’s hi-lo line-ups are always dangerous for the opposition. The combination of 3.5 Sebastian Frederiksen and 3.0 Leon Jorgenson could cause trouble for Brazil’s defense and in 3.5 Mark Peters, the hosts have one of the world’s biggest hitters.

Keep an eye on 2.5 Daniel Gonçalves for Brazil. He’s a big and powerful mid-point player who was a difference-maker for the team at the Americas Championship.

Young and speedy 3.5 Gabriel Feitosa de Lima is a great candidate to break out in Vejle. After spending the past few years coming off the bench and providing a great boost of energy to Brazil, he could take on a more featured role this year.

Will the home crowd get behind Denmark and cheer them to victory, or will the debutants from South America win on Day 1? You’ll have to watch to find out! 

Match #2 Great Britain vs. Switzerland

The day’s second match is a European clash between 2nd-ranked Great Britain and 13th-ranked Switzerland. These two teams have faced each other at many European and World Championships, with Great Britain winning all their meetings so far.

Monday’s match should see a contrast in tempos. With their phenomenal team speed, Great Britain is comfortable playing at a fast pace and poring on a high defensive press. In 3.5 Aaron Phipps, they have one of the quickest players in the world, who isn’t afraid to try for turnovers with both his chairs and his active hands.

On the other side, don’t be surprised if Switzerland uses patient passing and their strong key defense to slow the game’s speed down. They also have a core of experienced players who are well-versed in their system and calm under pressure. 2.0 David Mzee is one of the best in the business at finding ways to get open late in the 12-second count, and in 1.0 Adrian Moser, they have a low-pointer with elite ball protection and offloading skills.

Keep an eye on the match-up between the 2.5s Jeremy Jenal and Jamie Stead. Switzerland’s Jeremy Jenal may fly under the radar of some casual fans, but he’s got pace to spare and does a great job facilitating the Swiss attack. He could turn a lot of heads at his first World Championship. 

For Great Britain, Jamie Stead often lives up to his last name as he’s an incredibly “steady” player. He provides consistent offense and is an efficient playmaker who defenses need to respect with and without the ball. GB has many players who can take over a game; Stead might be the one to do so tomorrow.

Will the Paralympic champions open their campaign with a win or will the Swiss pull off an upset for the ages? We’ll find out tomorrow night.

Don’t Miss A Moment

Monday’s matches are the first two of 46 games, that conclude with Sunday’s finals. You can watch every match on worldwheelechair.rugby. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get notifications when we’re live, and follow WWR and the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby World Championships on social media to stay up-to-date with the tournament.