GBWR Women and Girls Talent Programme
Following the recent announcement of our partnership with The Hartford, we ‘re excited to share our initial plans for the GBWR Women and Girls Talent Programme (WGT programme).
WGT programme
The WGT programme will now be housed within the Performance Pathway and will be led by Lee Stutely, GB Team Manager, with Ayaz Bhuta, Pathway Assistant Coach, taking on the role of head coach. These appointments will ensure the programme is aligned with the Performance Pathway and support the development of future leaders in the sport.
The support from The Hartford will allow us to run an annual programme of delivery including
- five one day training sessions
- monthly online sessions
- a minimum of four women or girls will be invited to each talent camp
- competition opportunities for the team
- individuals supported to attend international club competitions
- financial support to help with the costs of transport and equipment.
A message from Ayaz:
“I’m truly honoured to be taking on the role as Head Coach for the GBWR Women and Girls Talent Programme. This presents a significant opportunity to identify, empower, and support the future leaders of our sport. We’ve already seen a substantial rise in participation, and I’m looking forward to harnessing the tremendous potential of women and girls within GB Wheelchair Rugby as we work together to drive its continued growth and success.”
WGT Programme “Try Out” information
- Dates: Arrival 19th August > Training days 20th and 21st > Depart 22nd (or after training finishes 21st if preferred)
- Location: Sunderland > location is due to planned link for engagement with the Women’s Rugby World Cup which starts later that week
- Accommodation and meals will be provided
Who should apply for the GBWR Women and Girls Talent Programme try outs?
- If you ARE currently playing wheelchair rugby
- GBWR Female members who are classifiable for the Paralympic discipline, with a minimum of a temporary classification (TC) granted by GBWR.
- Athletes who are committed to developing themselves on and off the court, with the aspiration of progressing up the pathway.
- A minimum of 12 years old (with approval from GBWR to compete in the adult game)
PLEASE APPLY EVEN IF YOU CAN NOT MAKE THE PLANNED TRY OUTS IN AUGUST
Link to registration Here Please apply by 6th July
- If you are currently NOT playing wheelchair rugby and would like to get involved, please apply Here
Coaches of the future
We want to grow the number of female coaches within wheelchair rugby and support their development. While we build the programme of support, we are looking for expressions of interest from females who are either coaching wheelchair rugby or who are interested in becoming a wheelchair rugby coach.
Link to registration Here
Canterbury and Science in Sport Join Forces to Power the WGT Programme
We’re excited to announce two key partnerships that will elevate the GBWR Women and Girls Talent Programme: Canterbury as our official kit partner and Science in Sport (SiS) as our official sports nutrition provider.
Canterbury
Known for their rich rugby heritage and commitment to innovation, Canterbury will supply high-performance kit tailored to support our athletes both on and off the court. The new kit will be revealed over the coming months, marking a bold step forward in celebrating and empowering female athletes in wheelchair rugby.
Science in Sport
As part of our commitment to athlete development, GBWR is proud to partner with Science in Sport, trusted by elite athletes around the world. SiS will provide expert nutritional support to help participants fuel their training, enhance recovery, and maximise performance throughout the programme.
We will continue to showcase and celebrate the achievements of female athletes within the sport, inspiring the next generation of women and girls to join the wheelchair rugby family.
Gender Equity
We are committed to achieving gender equity in wheelchair rugby by actively recruiting more female participants, with the ultimate goal of equal representation of men and women across the sport. Through the WGT programme we anticipate:
- An increase in female participation at all levels of the sport,
- A rise in the number of female coaches,
- Stronger support systems for female coaches
- More female athletes progressing through the Performance Pathway.
Thank You Rob and Cara
We’d like to thank Rob Tarr and Cara Lewis for their commitment and support of the GB Women’s Cup teams, winning a gold medal in 2023 and bronze in 2024 and influencing the development of the athletes from those squads.
Lee shares views on the programme
“We believe in the importance of the Women and Girls talent programme being shaped by the individuals who will be within this team. Too often in sport, women’s voices are overlooked—we are driven to change that. This programme is about more than just playing the game; it’s about creating a space where women and girls in our sport can thrive, be heard, and excel. We’re excited and fully committed to building an inclusive and welcoming environment that enables our female athletes to showcase their talents and reach their full potential.”
