I am delighted to be writing to you as we relaunch our newsletter this month, and I must say, it’s great to see it back in action! If you’re not already subscribed, you can sign up here. The newsletter has always been a fantastic platform to share our successes and keep everyone updated on the latest developments, and I’m thrilled to continue that tradition.
I want to begin by expressing my utmost gratitude to everyone involved in making the 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship a resounding success. The final board meeting held in early July allowed us to sign off on the final budgets, and the board couldn’t be happier with how the event turned out. It was truly an incredible experience, and the legacy it leaves in Wales is something we can all be proud of. It also an honour to announce the first recipients of our national awards at the tournament, recognising those who have made a significant contribution to wheelchair rugby – you can read more about the awardees here.
As you may know, we’ve made some significant changes to our Premiership division, including merging teams and bringing in imports from France. The result have been promising, with the competition heating up and providing thrilling moments. I’m excited to witness how this revamped division unfolds in the coming months.
Looking ahead, we have some amazing content planned for the upcoming months. From exclusive interviews to behind-the-scenes features, there will be plenty to keep everyone engaged and entertained. I encourage you all to keep an eye out for these exciting updates.
Another highlight of recent times was our fundraising clay shoot at the West London Shooting School. Led by the esteemed George Digweed MBE and his wife Kate, the event was a tremendous success, raising significant funds for GBWR. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the participants and especially to Heather and Roger Alwen for their unwavering support for GBWR.
With just over a year until the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, the excitement is building within the GB team. They will be returning to camp at the end of July to start their preparations. But before the Games, we have the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup in Paris starting 18 October, where the top eight ranked teams in the world will compete in a thrilling competition.
