Membership

Membership update 2024/25
We would like to update you on GBWR membership for 2024/25. Acknowledging the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, we are freezing membership fees for the forthcoming membership period.

In 2021 we moved to a common membership year which runs from 1 April to 31 March each year. We hope that this has made it easier for members and clubs by having the same point in the year for everyone to renew their membership.

Existing members have the opportunity to renew their membership at an early-bird rate between 1 to 31 March, and from 1 April will have to pay the full fee. You will receive a reminder email to renew, and please remember that you also need to have renewed your membership to continue training at your club and/or join the GBWR leagues.

New members will be able to join at a reduced fee between 1 March and 30 September, and after this a half-year fee applies. Joining in March will give you membership from the date of joining and throughout the forthcoming membership year. New members are also eligible to attend up to four sessions for free before needing to register for membership – players’ trial sessions are limited to training and will need to register before attending competition, however volunteers can use their trial sessions at competition.

As before, existing and new members can purchase membership individually through the membership portal, or this can be managed by club administrators.

More information on membership categories and fees is below.

IMPORTANT: We would like to ask that all existing members go on the membership portal to update their profile by 30 March 2024. Upon sign-in, members will be prompted to update their details (if not recently done) to ensure you have seen and agreed to the latest versions of key documents, including our membership rules, and to collect mandatory equality, diversity, and inclusion data. Please note that we have revised some of the information required and added a diversity monitoring section. This information is stored completely anonymously but is now a requirement if GBWR are to continue to receive funding from Sport England among other providers.
You can access the membership portal here and enter your credentials when prompted, typically a member’s username is their email address. There is a ‘forgot my password’ function for any members who are unable to sign-in but if you continue to experience difficulties please get in touch.

You can register, or login, via our membership portal.

Joining as a member of GBWR connects you to the wider wheelchair rugby community, giving you the opportunity to enjoy the game and learn from experienced athletes, including current and former Paralympians across the country.

GBWR membership is operated on a common membership year, 1 April to 31 March annually – you’ll receive a reminder a month before renewal is due at the start of March each year. Your club may also choose to register your membership on your behalf – contact your club rep for more information.

All GBWR members are required to adhere to the membership rules and relevant code(s) of conduct.

Below you’ll find more information on the benefits of membership, the categories of membership we offer, and also more information about registering as a junior.

If you have any questions about Membership, please contact us at info@gbwr.org.uk.

Benefits of Membership

GBWR membership offers a host of benefits, including:

  • Eligibility to participate in GBWR-sanctioned events, and public liability insurance cover for club training sessions and competition
  • Access to a regional development officer for club support, and wider national governing body support through the club network
  • Preferential access and rates for GBWR operated courses/training
  • Preferential rates on rugby wheelchairs through our partner RMA Sport (available to Full, Junior, and Junior Programme members only)
  • Eligibility to have your say at the GBWR annual general meeting

Membership Categories

If you are a player or coach, you’ll be eligible for the following categories of membership:

  • Full: adult players and coaches residing within Great Britain
  • Non-Resident Associate: adult players residing outside of Great Britain
  • Junior: players aged 12 to 17 years inclusive, for training with adult clubs and participation in the adult league
  • Junior Programme: players aged 8 to 17 years inclusive, for training with junior clubs and participation in the junior league only

If joining as part of the workforce, as a volunteer or official, you’ll be eligible for the following categories of membership:

  • Associate: adult volunteers and officials
  • Junior Associate: workforce aged 14 to 17 years inclusive, and assistant coaches aged 16-17 years inclusive
  • Membership renewal fees

    Existing members have the opportunity to renew their membership at an early-bird rate between 1 to 31 March, and from 1 April will have to pay the full fee. You will receive a reminder email to renew, and please remember that you also need to have renewed your membership to continue training at your club and/or join the GBWR leagues.

    Membership category Early-bird rate (1 – 31 March) Full fee (from 1 April)
    Full £60 £75
    Associate £24 £30
    Junior £28 £35
    Junior Programme £8 £10
    Junior Associate £24 £30
    Non-resident Associate £48 £60

     

  • New member registration fees

    New members will be able to join at a reduced rate between 1 March and 30 September, and after this a half-year rate applies. Joining in March will give you membership from the date of joining and throughout the forthcoming membership year, 1 April to 31 March. New members are also eligible to attend up to four sessions for free before needing to register for membership – athletes’ trial sessions are limited to training and will need to register before attending competition, however volunteers can use their trial sessions at competition.

    Membership category New member rate (until September 30) Half-year rate (from 1 October)
    Full £60 £30
    Associate £24 £12
    Junior £28 £14
    Junior Programme £8 £4
    Junior Associate £24 £12
    Non-resident Associate £48 £24

Junior membership

We offer a range of membership options for young people, and in line with good safeguarding, we have additional requirements in place to ensure young people are properly looked after in our sport.

On purchase of membership, all categories of junior membership (Junior, Junior Programme, and Junior Associate membership) enter a ‘grace period’ for one month. During this time, the juniors can attend training, but supporting documents (phrased as ‘credentials’ on the membership portal) are required to attend competition, or continue training after this period. These credentials are reviewed by the junior programme manager of GB Wheelchair Rugby and, unless any queries arise, will be authorised to permit the junior to participate fully.

Find out more about the required credentials below, and please feel welcome to contact info@gbwr.org.uk with any questions.

  • Junior

    The activity consent form is a credential which must be completed by the parent/legal guardian for each new membership year, for all categories of junior membership. Please submit the online form, which we will attach to the junior’s profile on the membership portal:

    Complete the form online (2024/25)

    Junior membership also requires additional credentials, detailed below, as this category permits training and competing with adults.

    • Doctor’s note confirming suitability for the game of wheelchair rugby
    • Club welfare officer’s acknowledgement of the young person at the club

    These additional credentials can be uploaded directly to the junior’s profile under the ‘credentials’ tab, or emailed to info@gbwr.org.uk.

    The credentials will be valid for the duration of the membership year – each annual renewal of membership will need to be accompanied by a new set of credentials, which must be dated no older than six months prior to the membership application.

  • Junior Programme

    The activity consent form is a credential which must be completed by the parent/legal guardian for each new membership year, for all categories of junior membership. Please submit the online form, which we will attach to the junior’s profile on the membership portal:

    Complete the form online (2024/25)

    For Junior Programme members, this is the only credential required.

  • Junior Associate

    The Activity consent form is a credential which must be completed by the parent/legal guardian for each new membership year, for all categories of junior membership. Please submit the online form, which we will attach to the junior’s profile on the membership portal:

    Complete the form online (2024/25)

    For Junior Associate members, this is the only credential required.