What's it all about?

Wheelchair Rugby is a team sport for male and female quadriplegics. It is a unique sport created by athletes with a disability that combines some elements of Basketball, Handball, and Ice Hockey. The object of the game is to carry the ball across the opposing team's goal line. Two wheels must cross the goal line for a goal to count, and the player must have firm control of the ball when he or she crosses the line.

All Wheelchair Rugby players compete in manual wheelchairs. Players must meet the minimum disability criteria of the sport and must be classifiable under the sport classification rules.

Taking Part

To be eligible to play, individuals must have a disability which affects both the arms and the legs. They must also be physically capable of propelling a manual wheelchair with their arms. Athletes with neurological disabilities must have at least three limbs with limited functions; athletes with non-neurological disabilities must have limited function in all four limbs. The majority of Wheelchair Rugby players have spinal cord injuries which have resulted in full or partial paralysis of the legs and partial paralysis of the arms. Other disability groups who are represented include polio, cerebral palsy, some forms of muscular dystrophy, dysmelia, amputations, and other neurological conditions such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Men and women are classified equally and compete on the same teams; there are no separate for men's and women's competitions.

Athletes compete in manual wheelchairs. The rules of the sport include detailed specifications for the wheelchairs to ensure safety and fairness; in international competition, all wheelchairs must meet these requirements.

To begin to play, any manual wheelchair may be used, although the game is easier when played in a lightweight sports-type wheelchair. Many players begin using wheelchairs adapted from wheelchair basketball.

The game is played with a white ball identical in size and shape to a regulation volleyball. In addition to the ball, four cones, pylons, or other similar markers are required to mark the ends of the goal lines. A game clock is also required; any clock used for basketball, handball, or other similar sports will be sufficient.

Useful Links

International Wheelchair Rugby Federation: www.iwrf.com

Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby: www.gbwr.org.uk

Main Contact

Steve Brown- Disability Sport Associate Officer for Wheelchair Rugby - steve@seasonworkers.com - 07846754200