With grassroots funding, affordable tickets and roles for the rugby community, the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup has created a buzz about the sport.
Greg Brown, 52, Head Coach of Sheffield Eagles, said: “It’s been a well kept secret for a while, now everyone’s seen it and they’re like…wow, where has this been all our lives.”
Tickets to the games at the English Institute of Sport cost £2.12, allowing school groups and families in their hundreds to witness Wheelchair Rugby League for the first time.
The Sheffield Hawks Under 9s team, who were ball girls and boys for the world cup, were “mesmerised” by the game.
Lisa Riches, 35, the Hawk’s Child Welfare Officer, said: “It was the first time the kids had seen it, and all of them were absolutely mesmerised. They’re now desperate to try it out.”
£22 million has been invested into community projects by the Rugby League World Cup CreatedBy grants, allowing clubs like Sheffield Eagles to buy wheelchairs and get more people involved.
With eight new chairs for their first session after the World Cup, Sheffield Eagles saw a 25% increase in attendees giving wheelchair rugby a go.
One of them, Joe Wink, 20, said: “I used to play rugby, but in the end I couldn’t handle the physicality of it. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.”
David Butler, 42, is a Trustee of the Eagles Foundation, a charity that works closely with Sheffield Eagles. He was also an attack referee throughout the tournament.
“The sport is definitely on the rise, and it’s amazing to see,” he said.
The cost of wheelchairs has been a barrier for the sport’s growth at community level, with the ‘ferrari-model’ costing £10,000.
Despite this, the sport has been widely celebrated for its inclusivity.
“It is the most inclusive sport in the world. I don’t know another sport where children can play with adults, men with women, and people with and without disabilities,” said Mr.Butler.
Sheffield Eagle’s wheelchair team practises on Mondays at 6:30pm at the Pearson Buildings at Sheffield Hallam University.
If you’d like to get involved, you can contact their coach David Butler: david.butler@eaglesfoundation.co.uk
