I am really pleased to be able to tell you that the Mayor of London Boris Johnson will be joined by our ambassador England rugby star Mike Brown to officially announce that London will host the first ever World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge. The Mayor will join Mike and wheelchair rugby internationals Kylie Grimes, Bulbul Hussain, Chris Ryan and GB Captain Mike Kerr on Wednesday 7 May at Queen’s Walk next to City Hall for the launch. They will be joined by John Bishop, President IWRF who is coming over from the USA and our Chairman, Kevin Aitchison.
WWRC15 is will take place between 11-16 October 2015 in the Copper Box arena at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This is the period between the group games and quarter final matches of the IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 and we expect to attract a lot of rugby supporters from around the world. Taking part alongside GB will be world champions USA, Paralympic gold medallists Australia, silver medallists Canada along with Japan, South Africa, France and New Zealand.
The aim is to make this more than just a tournament. There will be a community and participation programme around it which will start in January 2015 and will build on our current Rugby Wheels, Military Recovery Centre and Youth initiatives culminating with events in the Copperbox. WWRC15 will also offer corporate hospitality and entertainment opportunities including court-side hospitality boxes. We are currently working with a number of partners and hope soon to be able to announce sponsors and broadcasters for the event.
Coming on the back of an incredible week for our sport where we launched a new partnership with Harlequins, delivered rugby at Tedworth House as part of Invictus preparations watched by HRH Prince Harry, and provided a week of wheelchair rugby involving schools, colleges and the public at Stoke on Trent, this is a really exciting time for wheelchair rugby.
Watch out for the launch in the media next week and watch the website for volunteering and sponsorship opportunities as well as updates on progress towards WWRC15.
David Pond
