CEO April Blog
For the third year in a row, wheelchair rugby returned to Cardiff. The Wheelchair Rugby Quad Nations hosted France, U.S.A., Japan, and GB to compete in 3 days of competition. There were fantastic performances and a great spectator turnout across the week. Congratulations to Japan for taking home the gold. Thank you to all our volunteers, staff, officials, spectators, and athletes for making it a thoroughly enjoyable 3 days of competition.
The power of collaboration and speaking with one voice was demonstrated this month. Back in January of this year, alongside Paralympics GB and 56 other NGBs, we penned a letter to the Prime Minister urging the government to reconsider their decision and reinstate the role of Minister of State for Disabled People. Alongside pressure across the disability sector, this decision was reversed in the latest reshuffle, with Mims Davies MP becoming the dedicated minister for disabled people. We are incredibly pleased that disabled people will continue to have a voice at the decision-making level. This just goes to show the power of coming to together for a common cause.
This month, we celebrate a social media milestone, eclipsing 10,000 followers on our Instagram channel. It is clear that we are reaching more and more people with our content, and it continues to be enjoyed by many outside of our community. Thank you to our social media team for the work they have put in to get us here.
The GB team heads to Vancouver in June for the Canada Cup in what will be our last international wheelchair rugby competition in preparation for the Paralympics. The team will be aiming to build off some encouraging performances at the Quad Nations and continue that upward trajectory to ensure we peak at Paris.
In April the Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby 5s rolled into Sunderland at the amazing Beacon of Light. Its was the first time the event had been held in the City and taking wheelchair rugby to new locations is how we can help to promote our sport. At the the other end of the country we held the first Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby: Fours Division One final tournament in Plymouth, at the outstanding Plymouth of Life Centre. Both of these new venues have been received very well and we are looking at using them again next season. Congratulations to the West Country Hawks for winning the Division One title unbeaten.
Regards,
Jason
