The Victorian Rugby Union (VRU) and Disability Sport & Recreation (DSR) are pleased to announce an agreement in principle regarding the alignment of wheelchair rugby in Victoria. And Melbourne Rugby Club has put its weight behind this important VRU initiative by agreeing to become one of four foundation Clubs.
Following in the footsteps of a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and Disability Sport Australia (the respective national associations), the details of an agreement in Victoria will be formalised in coming months.
The basis of the agreement is to align the two sports within Victoria, align existing Rugby Union Clubs with Victorian wheelchair rugby teams, and look to cross promote each other’s programs within our respective communities.
VRU Board Director Neil Hay said “This is such an exciting announcement for us that we the VRU can continue to foster inclusiveness in our sport and welcome the guys from DSR and wheelchair rugby into a common goal of joint collaboration and promotion.
“We are proud to be the first state to leverage the existing MOU between the ARU and DSA, and have already been able to build strong relationships with DSR which included being invited to watch the Victorian representatives of the National team, the Steelers, train at the Australian Paralympic Committee’s Victorian facility. With the upcoming Paralympics in September, and eight representatives of the National squad from Victoria, we really want to get behind these guys. We will also encourage the Clubs to get behind them as well.
“We are also aware of four VRU premier division Clubs who are in discussions regarding a similar alignment with teams in the Victorian Protect Wheelchair Rugby League, which we are supportive of.
“All in all this is a great initiate that we as the representatives of the Victorian rugby community are excited to support.”
Richard Amon, CEO of Disability Sport & Recreation said “We congratulate the VRU in building towards greater inclusion for its sport in the Victorian community. Forming a partnership between DSR, VRU and its Clubs is also a positive step forward in progressing wheelchair rugby in Victoria.
The proactive approach around the table in wanting to support disability sport has been fantastic. Whilst the specific details are evolving we see real benefit in aligning Victorian wheelchair rugby teams with community Clubs and more broadly with the VRU. We look forward to announcing further details as we finalise agreements with the VRU and four Victorian Rugby Clubs over the coming months.
This is great news heading into the Paralympics. We would like to invite the rugby community in Victoria to get behind the Australian wheelchair rugby team as they defend their gold medal in Rio.”
If you would like to learn more about wheelchair rugby please contact Disability Sport & Recreation on 9473 0133 or
Source: Rebels Media Unit
