Wooden Spoon Junior National Championship Set to Showcase the Future of Wheelchair Rugby
GBWR brings junior athletes together for the first national championship on 7 February 2026
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) is excited to announce the inaugural Wooden Spoon Junior National Championship, supported by Penguin International RFC, taking place on Saturday 7 February 2026 in Nottingham (Nottinghamshire Joint Fire and Rescue Service/ Police Headquarters, Sherwood Lodge, Arnold, Nottingham, NG5 8PP). The event marks the first national competitive gathering of junior athletes since the launch of the groundbreaking Wooden Spoon GBWR Junior Regional Academies—a programme designed to transform the landscape of junior wheelchair rugby across the UK. 1
The Championship will bring together players from all four regions—North, Midlands, London & South, and Wales—for a full day of competition, development, and celebration.
Strengthening the Junior Pathway
Launched in partnership with Wooden Spoon, the children’s charity of rugby, the Junior Regional Academies provide a structured, inclusive pathway for young people entering wheelchair rugby. The academies offer increased training opportunities, improved competitive access, and a clearer route into GBWR’s performance pathway, welcoming juniors regardless of their club background. 2
The upcoming Championship represents the first major milestone for this new system, allowing juniors from across the country to experience a national‑level event tailored specifically to their age and development stage.
GBWR CEO Jason Brisbane emphasised the significance of the event:
“The Wooden Spoon Junior National Championship represents everything we stand for as a governing body—opportunity, inclusion, and belief in the potential of every young athlete. We launched the Junior Regional Academies to build a pathway that truly supports the future of our sport, and seeing these juniors come together on a national stage is a huge moment for GBWR. I couldn’t be prouder of the players, families, coaches, and partners who made this possible. This is the beginning of something genuinely game‑changing for wheelchair rugby in Great Britain.”
What to Expect on the Day
The Championship is built around a junior‑friendly schedule, running from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
Competition Format
- Group A (younger athletes): Best‑of‑three series
- Group B (older athletes): Round‑robin followed by 1st–4th playoffs
- Awards:
- Trophies funded through Police Disability UK
- Medals for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place (no participation medals – all earned through placement)
A lunchtime Police Cadets taster session will also take place, supporting the venue partnership and adding a community engagement element to the day.
Supported by Trusted Partners
The Championship is made possible thanks to the support of several key organisations:
- Wooden Spoon – founding partner of the Junior Regional Academies and long‑standing champion for inclusive sport. 3
- Penguin International RFC – supporting the Championship and aiming to have representatives attend.
- CP Sport – confirmed attendance.
- Additional partners pending confirmation include: Willpower, LimbPower, Meningitis Now and Whizz-Kidz.
Building Confidence, Identity and Pride
Each regional team will compete in its own kit, with unique colours and bespoke academy identities helping to build pride and belonging. Junior athletes will also receive:
- A GBWR Junior Regional Academies top
- Drawstring bag
- Water bottle
To protect all participants, athletes who cannot be filmed or photographed will be given wristbands—ensuring safe and compliant media capture throughout the day.
Free Entry – All Welcome
The event is free to attend, and families, clubs, partners, and supporters are encouraged to come along and cheer on the rising stars of wheelchair rugby.
GBWR’s media team will be capturing content throughout the day to highlight athlete stories, celebrate achievements, and showcase the strength of the Junior Regional Academy model.
A Milestone in GBWR’s Vision for the Future
The Wooden Spoon Junior National Championship is a powerful first step in a long‑term strategy to nurture junior talent, strengthen domestic wheelchair rugby, and create more pathways into the sport for young people.
The energy, commitment and growth already seen through the Junior Regional Academies signal an exciting future—one that starts with the young athletes taking to the court in Nottingham.
“A Game-Changing Moment for Our Sport” – Jason Brisbane
