Wheelchair rugby league

Wheelchair rugby league is a wheelchair-based version of rugby league football, one of two recognised disability versions of the sport. It was developed by French rugby league player, coach and official, Wally Salvan in 2004. Unlike other wheelchair sports, people without disabilities are allowed to compete in top-level competition.[1] The sport is also unique in the fact that men and women of any age can play against each other in top-level competition.

For the sport formerly known as Murderball, see wheelchair rugby.
For the ambulatory format of disability rugby league, see physical disability rugby league.

Rules

The game shares many features with the regular rugby league:

  • Use of a size 4 rugby ball
  • Ball may only be passed backwards
  • Each team retains possession for six tackles, after which there is a hand-over
  • A modified version of the play-the-ball is used after a tackle
  • Same offside rules as rugby league
  • The 2006 rules[2]

The game then sees its own particular rules:

  • All kicks – penalties, drop outs and conversions – are taken with the fist
  • Matches are generally played on a handball court with dimensions of 40×20 metres
  • Indoor rugby posts are put in place for conversions, drop kicks and penalty kicks
  • In professional competition a maximum of two 'able bodied' players are allowed on the pitch per team

Clubs

France

As with the 'running' variant of the sport, most of the French wheelchair rugby league teams are situated in the south of the country.

  • Catalans Dragons

United Kingdom

The British domestic league is one of the more established in the world with over twenty teams from across the country taking part. They feature in the Super League, Championship League and then regional development leagues. Teams in Britain include:[3]

  • Bedford Tigers
  • Bradford Bulls
  • Celts
  • Dundee Dragons
  • Gravesend Dynamite
  • Halifax Panthers
  • Hereford Harriers
  • Hull FC
  • Leeds Rhinos
  • Leyland Warriors
  • Medway Dragons
  • Mersey Storm
  • Newcastle Thunder
  • North Wales Crusaders
  • Rochdale Hornets
  • Sheffield Eagles
  • St Helens
  • Swindon St. George
  • Torfaen Tigers[4]
  • Wakefield Trinity
  • Warrington Wolves
  • Wigan Warriors
  • Woodland Warriors

International Competitions

World Cup
Main article: Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup

The inaugural Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup was held at indoor venues in Sydney, Australia in 2008. The 2013 Wheelchair RL World Cup was held in Gillingham, England in July. It saw a tightly fought game with big collisions culminate in a victory for France. The 2017 World Cup was held in the south of France in July. The holders, France, triumphed over a strong England side in another tightly fought contest.

The 2021 World Cup (played in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) took place in England with 8 teams, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Spain, USA and Australia. For the USA this was to be their first major tournament. England defeated France 28-24 in the final in Manchester with an attendance of just under 5000.[5] Also, in a world first all matches were broadcast by the BBC.

The next World Cup will be in France as part of the 2025 Rugby League World Cup.[6]

World Cup summaries
Year Host nation(s) Teams Final result
Winner Score Runner-up
2008 Sydney, Australia 4 England England 44 – 12 Australia Australia
2013[7] Gillingham, England 6 France France 42 – 40[8] England England
2017 France 7 France France 38 – 34 England England
2021 England 8 England England 28 – 24[9] France France

European Championship
Main article: Wheelchair Rugby League European Championship

The Wheelchair Rugby League European Championship was first held in 2015 as a one off tournament. It is expected to occur every four years from 2023.

European Championship summaries
Year Host nation(s) Teams Final result
Winner Score Runner-up
2015 Gillingham, England 5 England England 28 – 24 France France

Celtic Cup
Main article: Celtic Cup (wheelchair rugby league)

The Celtic Cup has been held annually since 2015 and features the three Celtic nations of the British Isles – Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Titles

Domestic Competitions
United Kingdom RFL[3]
Scotland SRL
  • Wheelchair Premiership

See also

References
  1. http://www.nswrl.com.au/article.php?id=828
  2. The 2006 rules Archived 2007-08-29 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Wheelchair Rugby League". Rugby League. Rugby League. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  4. Torfaen Tigers
  5. Bower, Aaron (18 November 2022). "England edge Out France to win Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup". The Guardian.
  6. Ed, Dixon (2 July 2020). "2021 Rugby League World Cup and IRL team up on broadcast production - SportsPro Media". www.sportspromedia.com. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  7. "FOWC 2013". www.rlfowc2013.com. Archived from the original on 2013-03-31.
  8. "Match Report: Wheelchair World Cup Final". European Rugby League. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  9. "England beat France to win Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup - reaction". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
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