Review of the Welsh Open 2023

On Saturday, 15 July 2023 the second Welsh Open wheelchair rugby tournament took place at the LC2 in Swansea as part of a Parasport Festival.

Four teams competed for the trophy with each team having played three games in the preliminary round. All the games were very competitive and close, the tournament was played in true sportsman fashion and enjoyed by all including, players, officials, and spectators.

The play off for 3rd and 4th was between Taunton Gladiators and the Ospreys. It was a nail-biting game with Ospreys becoming victorious in the dying seconds winning 12–11.
The final was between Newport Dragons and Tiger Seals. It was equally close, however, the Dragons managed to remain undefeated and hold out to the end with a final score of 20-16.

MVP for the tournament voted by his peers and well deserved was Ash Hall from the Tiger Seals. His prize was a Molten wheelchair rugby ball used in the European Championship held in the Principality Stadium in May of this year. Close runners up in the MVP voting were Kyran Bishop from the Ospreys and Becky White from Taunton Gladiators.

Many thanks to the sponsors of the event, Spar. Also, many thanks to Disability Sport Wales for their assistance in organising the event. Thanks are expressed to all players, coaches, volunteers, and officials who took part and made the event a success.

The Welsh Open will run again next year as part of the Parasport Festival. The venue is yet to be decided but we hope to expand on this year’s success and increase the number of entrants.

If you are interested in entering your team next year. Please contact Mark Baines for further details mark.baines@gbwr.org.uk.

See below for all results from the Welsh Open 2023.

Preliminary round

Play-off 3rd / 4th

Final