Since its inclusion to the Paralympic Games in 2000, wheelchair rugby’s popularity has taken off worldwide.
Played on a hardwood basketball court over four, eight minute quarters, two teams battle it out using their specially designed wheelchairs to crash, block and trap their opponents in an attempt to stop them from scoring a try. A try is achieved when a player crosses the opposition’s goal line with possession of the ball.
Despite its intensity, wheelchair rugby is a family friendly and accessible sport that all genders can play. The classification system allows players with a wide range of functionality to compete on a level playing field.
Exciting for both players and spectators alike, it incorporates elements of several sports including ice hockey style checking, the ball movement of basketball, the scoring of rugby and the use of a volleyball.
There are four teams that compete in the local Protect Victoria Wheelchair Rugby Cup – Melbourne, Harlequins, Box Hill and Power House. The round robin competition was started five years ago and is based at Aqualink, Box Hill.
This year the local competition will be expanded to a National competition, which is supported by Wheelchair Rugby Australia. There are three tournaments planned for the inaugural season – Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
Our Club has successfully secured one of two of the Victorian licences to compete in the Wheelchair Rugby National League. The other team based out of Melbourne will be Box Hill. University of QLD Rugby Club (QLD), Brothers Rugby Club (QLD), Sydney University Rugby Club (NSW) and Tuggeranong Vikings Rugby Club (ACT) will also compete across three rounds of competition between February and May in 2022.
“The Melbourne Wheelchair Rugby team will fly the Club’s colours and are the first team at the Unicorns to compete at a National level. It’s so exciting for the players and for our Club,” said Tyrone Landsman, President.
He added, “The laws of our great game provide players of different shapes and sizes, skills, genders and ages with the opportunity to participate at their level of ability in a competitive yet enjoyable environment. That’s exactly what we’ve set out to do here at the Melbourne Rugby Club.”
To launch the year Wheelchair Rugby Australia is unveiling a new, nationwide competition that will reveal who is the best local wheelchair rugby club in Australia.
2022 Wheelchair Rugby Events Calendar
Round 1 – Melbourne Invitational
When: Friday 25 February – Sunday 27 February
Where: Cobblebank Stadium, Bridge Road, Strathtulloh VIC 3338
Free Registration: » click here
Live streamed via the Mysport » click here
Round 2 – Sydney Slam
Hills Hornets, Sydney
22 – 24 April 2022
Round 3 – Brisbane Bash
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, Brisbane
27 – 29 May 2022
National Championship (athletes back with state affiliates)
24 – 26 June 2022
If you’d like to assist our wheelchair athletes as they compete in the inaugural National League please donate here:
Tax-deductible Donation:
Melbourne Unicorns Foundation
Bendigo Bank
BSB 633000
Account 146326830
Reference: Wheelchair Rugby
