Classification
The following information is for the paralympic discipline of wheelchair rugby and is a different process to any other disciplines of the sport.
If you wish to learn about wheelchairs rugby fives eligibility criteria, click here.
Classification is an integral part of sport for people with disabilities, it ensures a fair and equitable competition at all levels of the sport, and guarantees, regardless of an individual’s physical function, all athletes an opportunity to compete at the highest level.
Wheelchair rugby athletes, because of the unique and varied nature of their muscle function, demonstrate combinations of varying stomach, back, chest, arm, and leg movement when performing wheelchair rugby skills. Classifiers observe and test athletes performing a variety of these rugby skills and movements to determine the most appropriate class for each athlete, read more into how classifiers determine an athletes classification in the GBWR classification process section. Following the initial review, athletes who are deemed to be classifiable will then be given a temporary classification by their club. This process is explained in full in the Temporary Classification Information document, found in the Classification Documents section. More information on what to expect during a classification can also be found in this section, aswell as information on the classification application process and eligible and non-eligible impairment types.
There are eight classes within GB wheelchair rugby ranging from 0.5 to 4.0 (0.5 to 3.5 internationally), each class has a set of characteristics that is identified within an athlete, see more on this in the class profiles section below. Wheelchair Rugby is played with four players on court, with their classifications totalling 8.0 or less.
GBWR Classification Process
GBWR have updated their classification system to ensure the most efficient process is taken.
All athletes who are looking to play in GBWRs domestic league competitions but have yet to obtain a classification need to register their request. This request form is for athletes looking to gain a classification for the first time only. To gain a classification every athlete needs to complete the GBWR Classification Request Form.
Please be aware this is for the Paralympic discipline game only.
Classification Process Outline
Please be aware our Classifiers are all volunteers within this role and as such the above processes are not subject to any specific time-frame.
Class profiles
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Class 0.5
Typical role on court
Main role is as blocker, not a major ball handler.Chair skills/function
- Slow acceleration and uni-directional manoeuvring because of proximal weakness
- Because of extensive proximal shoulder weakness and lack of triceps function forward head bob present when pushing
- Because of lack of triceps, pulls on back part of the wheel for push stroke using biceps by bending elbows; elbows are also out to side when pushing (called an “unopposed biceps push”)
- Limited wheel contact while pushing because of wrist extensor weakness and lack of other wrist and hand function, may use forearm on wheel for starts, turns and stops
Ball skills/function
- Because of proximal shoulder weakness, arm and wrist weakness, traps direct passes on lap or bats it in from limited range
- Bats ball using “underhand volleyball pass” for longer range pass or for shorter range pass uses “flip pass”
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Class 1.0
Typical role on court
Blocker, may in-bound ball, not a major ball handler.Chair skills/function
- Because of increased strength in upper chest and shoulders, may present multi-directional manoeuvring (start, stop, turns). Can turn in all directions without stopping, easier and faster turning than 0.5 athlete, but still slow acceleration
- Because of proximal shoulder weakness and limited triceps function, may have slight head bob when pushing
- Because of limited triceps (muscle power impairment) or short upper extremities (limb deficiency) has longer but still limited push on wheel (combination of push and pull on back part of wheel)
- Because of wrist extensor weakness and lack of other wrist and hand function, may use forearm on wheel for starts, turns and stops
- May present partial trunk stabilisation (combination with trunk 0.5 and 0.5 UE)
Ball skills/function
Because of shoulder weakness may use „underhand volleyball pass“ or „flip pass“ but may present weak chest pass or forearm pass
Forearm or wrist catch
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Class 1.5
Typical role on court
Excellent blocker, in-bound player, also may be occasional ball handler.Chair skills/function
- Increased shoulder strength, triceps and stability (muscle power impairment)/ longer upper extremities length allows for more effective and efficient pushing, longer wheel contact
Ball skills/function
- Increased shoulder strength and stability allows for some distance and consistency to chest pass and one hand pass (with assisting second hand)
- Because of wrist imbalance has limited ball security when passing
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Class 2.0
Typical role on court
Increasing role on court as ball handler.Chair skills/function
- Very strong and stable shoulder that allows for good pushing speed on court
- Long wheel contact
Ball skills/function
- Because of strong shoulder, triceps and stable wrists, presents effective chest pass with control over moderate distance
- Because of lack of finger flexion, there is limited ball security against defence during passing
- Can hold ball with wrists firmly, but has no/ little hand function
- Good overhead two-handed pass
- Poor one-handed pass
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Class 2.5
Typical role on court
Ball handler and fairly fast playmaker.Chair skills/function
- Because of excellent shoulder strength and stability will see good pushing speed on court
- Partial grip is used to advantage on the push rim when challenged
Ball skills/function
- Reasonably balanced finger flexion and extension without true grasp and release
- Dribbles the ball safely, but supinates forearm to scoop the ball onto the lap
- Due to finger flexion strength capable of performing one-handed overhead pass, but limited accuracy and distance because of weaker intrinsic hand muscles
- Safe two-handed catching of passes, usually scooping ball to lap. May catch a ball single-handedly and scoop to lap or chest
- Improved ball security compared to 2.0 hand, due to improved ability to isolate wrist/finger function
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Class 3.0
Typical role on court
Very good ball handler and fast playmaker.Chair skills/function
- Because of balanced finger function, athlete can grip wheelchair rim increasing pushing speed
- Excellent chair manoeuvring
Ball skills/function
- Because of function in fingers, can control ball in varying planes of movement for passing, dribbling, catching and protecting ball
- Can multiple dribble a ball with one hand with good control
- Can pass and catch a ball with one hand
- Functional grasp and release with limited thumb function
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Class 3.5
Typical role on court
Major ball handler, No. 1 ball carrierChair skills/function
- Has some trunk function, therefore stable in wheelchair and able to use trunk for ball and chair activities
Ball skills/function
- Because of combination of hand and trunk function, usually has excellent ball control with controlled one-handed passing for distance and excellent ball security during passing and receiving
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Class 4.0 (GBWR domestic league only)
Typical role on court
Major ball handler, No. 1 ball carrier
Chair skills/function
- Similar to previous class, has some trunk function, therefore stable in wheelchair and able to use trunk for ball and chair activities. Strong pushes due to arm function resulting in hard contacts between chairs.
Ball skills/function
- Because of combination of hand and trunk function, usually has excellent ball control with controlled one-handed passing for distance and excellent ball security during passing and receiving. Can typically perform any type of pass with good strength.
GBWR Classifiers
GBWRs classification system follows the WWR standard which has been developed over the years since the sports inception. This means that all of our domestic classifiers must be qualified in a specified profession in order to join the trainee classifier pathway. When looking to recruit new classifiers, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby ensures that any trainee carries a professional qualification(s), aswell as the right level of experience, skills and/or competencies to act as a Classifier for GBWR.
These include Classifiers who must be either:
- A Classifier who is a certified health professional in a field relevant to the Eligible Impairment category, which GBWR at its sole discretion deems acceptable, such as a physician, physiotherapist/physical therapist, or occupational therapist; or
- A Technical Classifier who has extensive athletic, coaching, or other relevant background in wheelchair rugby; or a recognised and reputable academic qualification, which encompasses a requisite level of anatomical, biomechanical and sport- specific expertise, which GBWR at its sole discretion deems to be acceptable.
The current GBWR classifiers come from a range of proffessional backgrounds and bring with them a host of experience from outside the sport, trainee’s are trained through on hand support at classification events by our international and more experienced classifiers. Domestically, GBWR have two ‘levels’ to navigate before an interest in the international classification pathway can be expressed by a classifier.
Meet the current GBWR Classifiers
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Deborah Bowditch - WWR Level 4 Classifier (International)
Debs is currently GBWRs most experienced and qualified classifier. As a qualified Occupational Therapist, Debs started as a wheelchair rugby classifier in 1996 with continuous involvement in New Zealands national programme and also international involvement world-wide. Debs was the Head Classifier in New Zealand from 1996 to 2010, gaining her international Level 4 during this time in 2001.
She has been involved with the international development of classification and was involved with the committee that led to the development of the existing handbook and rules surrounding wheelchair rugby classification.
Aswell as all this, Debs has helped train and develop new classifiers in South-East Asia aswell as within Great Britain.
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Alison Johnston - WWR Level 2 Classifier (International)
Alison is a Chartered Physiotherapist with over 25 years experience working with people who have complex wheelchair and seating needs. She became interested in wheelchair rugby following the 2012 Paralympics in London, and became involved with classifying in 2018 after retiring from the NHS.
Alison recently became a Level 2 international classifier at the International Wheelchair Rugby Challenge and looks forward to working at more international wheelchair rugby events in the future.
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Rachel Butcher - GBWR Level 2 Classifier (Domestic)
Profile to be updated
