Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) has launched a groundbreaking fundraising initiative – 28 for 28 – aimed at bringing 28 partners together to support the team on their journey to the LA28 Paralympic Games.

28 for 28 represents a unique and collaborative effort to garner support for GBWR, uniting partners in a shared mission to break down barriers and build bridges to advance inclusivity. The initiative aims to pool funds from multiple sources to maximize their impact and create a lasting legacy for wheelchair rugby.

GBWR CEO Jason Brisbane explains:

“It is our vision to be the showcase disability sport in Great Britain, but if we are to achieve our vision we need to think and act differently. This is an ambitious initiative that harnesses the collective power of organisations and individuals with a shared sense of responsibility to break down barriers and deliver opportunities for those with a disability so they can thrive.

“There is a disproportionate cost of living impact on the disabled population with the income gap between disabled and nondisabled population at 44% on average. Playing our sport at a high level is costly, requiring expensive equipment and typically weekend travel and accommodation costs. 28 for 28 will help us overcome some of these challenges so we can help people access the sport and develop a pipeline of world-class talent.”

Notable founding partners of the 28 for 28 initiative include England Rugby, Get Kids Going!, Allied Mobility, Socios.com Supports, Ascot Underwriting Holdings, the RFU Injured Players Foundation, and Tokio Marine Kiln. Their commitment and support lay the foundation for the success of this initiative which will fuel the future of wheelchair rugby in Great Britain.

Ascot Underwriting Holdings, a leading Lloyd’s of London insurer, hosted the launch of the 28 for 28 at their Fenchurch Street offices in London on what marked the six months to go to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

“28 for 28 is more than a sponsor badging exercise, members will be part of a true partnership where everyone benefits”,

Jason continues.

“Partner involvement not only supports an organisation’s ESG commitments by taking tangible action to support communities, it provides the opportunity through volunteering experiences to learn more about inclusion and how everyone can play a role in creating a truly inclusive society.”

 GBWR aims to build bespoke activations for each of the 28 for 28 members to ensure the partnership delivers for all sides. This includes valuable networking opportunities and insights into the tangible difference their investments are making. The GBWR community will also share stories, their lived experiences, and updates on the progress made possible by the generous support of the 28 for 28 partners.

Rugby Football Union Chief Executive Officer Bill Sweeney said:

“The RFU and England Rugby is delighted to be a partner of 28 for 28, rugby plays a vital role in bringing people and communities together and wheelchair rugby has huge potential for growth as well as supporting people with disabilities to live active lifestyles and thrive.  We share their ambition to become the showcase disability sport in the UK.”

Sebastien Dieguez said of Socios.com Supports’ involvement:

“We believe it is such a great sport to involve everyone, so when we heard about the opportunity to be part of 28 for 28 we jumped at the chance. It’s the perfect addition to our social impact programme which aims to enable inclusion and improved health in the community. We’re honoured to be part of this programme and look forward to seeing the sport continue to grow.”

Wheelchair rugby is the only mixed-gender Paralympic team sport which has grown five-fold since the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

GB wheelchair rugby gold medallist Aaron Phipps said of the initiative:

“People watched us for first time in London and that started an amazing journey which saw two million people watch us win in Tokyo. Once you watch it you can’t take your eyes off it!

“We wouldn’t have taken gold without the support we received. Come along with us as we continue our journey. This is a great opportunity to make a huge difference to peoples’ lives. You will have a direct impact and improve lives in so many ways.”

To learn more about the 28 for 28 initiative and how to get involved, visit the official website at https://gbwr.org.uk/28for28/ or reach out via email at 28for28@gbwr.org.uk.

Congratulations to Northampton Saints Wheelchair Rugby Club on being named February’s Club of the Month. The club formed in 2016 and have been supported heavily since their inception by the Premiership Rugby club of the same name. The Premiership club have a continued commitment to the wheelchair rugby project and support them in numerous ways. The wheelchair rugby club have created a real community amongst their members, with both adult sessions and junior sessions taking place each week. The club have grown hugely and are now one of the biggest clubs within the country with 22 full GBWR members, 10 volunteers and 15 junior players.

Head Coach, Jamie Higgins said on the nomination:

We are so grateful to be recognised as Club of the month by GBWR. As mentioned we create a real community feel at the club and that is our aim first and foremost. Through that we have found a club and group of players and volunteers that inspire a real team spirit, which has in turn brought a successful competetive edge to the club.

Jamie now also works alongside GBWR and Northampton Saints to deliver our national junior programme. With his proven success working with the wheelchair rugby club, Jamie is growing junior involvement within our sport tremendously which will surely have a positive outcome when looking at the future players within GB.

Northampton currently compete in the Premiership league of the wheelchair rugby fives discipline and also field a development side to ensure their newer and developing players are able to compete fairly. The club were one of two that travelled to Poland in 2022 to compete in the first international wheelchair rugby fives tournament against the top two teams in the Polish leagues.

To compliment their involvement and achievements on the court the club have also developed a host of referees and table officials, invaluable to our game, namely Gary Spratt and Jo Montgomery who have both assisted at recent national and international tournaments as table officials, and Abby Montgomery who has been refereeing at GB tournaments and oversea’s, gaining noticeable confidence as she develops into an experienced official.

GBWR would like to congratulate Northampton on their nomination, and wish them all the best as they continue to grow.

 

“Paul Davies was one of the founding players of the South Wales Pirates which we set up in 1989, playing as a 0.5 During this time he competed in tournaments in Belgium, Holland and Switzerland. He also played a season for the Spartans. 

In 1996 he and Jon Nutman set up the Welsh Wheelchair Rugby Association. They organised the TSW Welsh International club tournaments in Cardiff in 1998 and 2000. 

He also contributed a huge amount to the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Association (as it was then), he served as both Secretary and Treasurer. 

He retired as a player and in 1997 became the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Manager, retiring after he had taken the team to Sydney 2000. Paul was instrumental in getting the World Class Performance Plan funding for the GB team which was funded from 1999 in the run up to Sydney. The funding gave a subsistence allowance to the team members and brought in sports science support, more competition abroad and some money for coaching and support staff. He dealt with partners at UK Sport and administered delivery. It is now known as UK Sport Lottery Funding. He got our foot in the door and GB has been funded on every Paralympic cycle bar after Rio. 

In 2001 he set up the GB Development Squad with Bob O’Shea and was the squad Manager from 2001-2003. 

He was awarded an MBE in 2011 for his services to Wheelchair Rugby and to other Army Veterans and injured rugby players, including representing the latter on the WRU Charitable Trust.“

 Keith Jones, GB wheelchair rugby Paralympian 1996 and 2000