Silver for Great Britain at the Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby finished with silver at the 2026 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge in Adelaide, concluding four days of world‑class international competition against some of the sport’s leading nations.
The tournament once again delivered the intensity, physicality and tactical challenge that has come to define the Santos World Challenge as a key fixture on the global wheelchair rugby calendar, providing a valuable benchmark for teams as preparations continue towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
The 2026 event brought together Australia, Brazil, Great Britain, USA and Germany, with Brazil emerging as champions following Finals Day in Adelaide.
Tournament Results
Great Britain faced a demanding schedule throughout the competition, with each match providing high‑quality opposition and valuable minutes on court.
- Great Britain 56 – 52 USA
- Great Britain 55 – 60 Brazil
- Great Britain 57 – 49 Australia
- Great Britain 54 – 45 Germany
On Finals Day, Great Britain faced Brazil once again in the gold medal match.
- Great Britain 50 – 58 Brazil (Final)
Brazil edged the final to secure the Santos Cup, and GBWR congratulates Brazil on a deserved tournament victory following a consistently strong week of performances.
Individual Honours for Great Britain
The tournament concluded with major individual recognition for Great Britain.
Jack Smith was named Tournament MVP, reflecting an outstanding week of performances and impact on court.
In addition, GB Head Coach Adam Scaturro was awarded Coaching MVP, recognising the tactical development, squad management and performance culture shown across the tournament.
The GB Squad in Adelaide
Great Britain competed in Australia with the 2026 Performance Programme Long Squad, blending experienced internationals with emerging talent and reflecting the ongoing development of the GB pathway.
2026 GB Performance Programme Long Squad
| Player | Classification | Club |
|---|---|---|
| Stuart Robinson | 3.5 | West Coast WRC |
| Tyler Walker | 3.5 | Cheltenham Tigers WRC |
| Faye West | 3.5 | Leicester Tigers WRC |
| Ollie Mangion | 3.0 | London WRC |
| Hannah Bucys | 3.0 | West Coast WRC |
| Josh Williams | 2.5 | West Coast WRC |
| Kieran Flynn | 2.0 | West Coast WRC |
| Gavin Walker | 2.0 | Leicester Tigers WRC |
| Harri Jenkins | 1.5 | West Coast WRC |
| Muhammad Islam | 0.5 | West Coast WRC |
| Jonathan Coggan | 0.5 | London WRC |
| Jack Smith | 0.5 | North East Bulls WRC |
A World‑Class Event in Adelaide
The Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge once again showcased some of the highest‑quality wheelchair rugby seen on the international stage. Across four days, teams delivered fast‑paced, physical contests in front of strong crowds, underlining the continued growth and profile of the sport.
GBWR extends sincere thanks to Wheelchair Rugby Australia, South Australia, and Santos for hosting a world‑class international event and welcoming teams from around the globe.
Thanks also go to Brazil, Australia, USA and Germany for a week of outstanding competition that provided exactly the challenge required at this stage of the performance cycle.
What’s Next for Great Britain
With the Santos World Challenge complete, attention now turns to two major international competitions later in 2026.
Canada Cup — June 2026
Great Britain will return to international action at the Canada Cup in Richmond, British Columbia, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the global wheelchair rugby calendar.
World Wheelchair Rugby World Championships — August 2026
Later in the summer, GB will travel to São Paulo, Brazil, to compete at the World Wheelchair Rugby World Championships, a key milestone on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Thank You to Our Partners
GBWR would like to thank TTM, Canterbury, and Science in Sport (SiS) for their continued support of the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby programme. Their backing remains vital in supporting athlete preparation, performance and recovery on the international stage.
📸 Photo credits:
Joep Buijs and Brad Anderson
