Who Can Play Wheelchair Rugby? Archives - Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby

New Season, New Battles: Division Two Rolls Into Aylesbury

Posted on September 29, 2025 at 11:42 am.

Allied Mobility Division Two Kicks Off New Season at Stoke Mandeville

Date: 4–5 October 2025
Location: Stoke Mandeville Stadium

The 2025/26 season of the Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby Division Two bursts into action this weekend with the first tournament hosted at the iconic Stoke Mandeville Stadium. With fresh energy, fierce competition, and a growing community of athletes, this opening event sets the tone for a season of grit, growth, and game-changing performances.

What to Expect

Over two days, teams from across the UK will battle it out in a fast-paced, tactical showcase of wheelchair rugby. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the sport, expect thrilling matchups, inspiring stories, and a celebration of athleticism and inclusion.

Selected games will be streamed live on the GBWR YouTube Channel, giving fans across the country a chance to follow the action.

Competing Teams & Players

Eight teams will be taking to the court at Stoke Mandeville Stadium:

Caledonian Crushers
Cheltenham Tigers (Second Team)
Leicester Tigers Swifts
London Crusaders
North East Udders
Ospreys WRC
West Coast Burn
Stoke Mandeville Maulers

Full team rosters are listed below.

Fixtures & Results

Stay up to date with live scores, match timings, and results via the Tournify App:
View Fixtures & Results on Tournify

Here’s a snapshot of the fixture schedule:

Date & Time	Match
Saturday 4 Oct – 09:00	Caledonian Crushers vs Cheltenham Tigers
Saturday 4 Oct – 10:30	Leicester Tigers Swifts vs London Crusaders
Saturday 4 Oct – 12:00	North East Ulsters vs Caledonian Crushers
Saturday 4 Oct – 13:30	Cheltenham Tigers vs Leicester Tigers Swifts
Saturday 4 Oct – 15:00	London Crusaders vs North East Ulsters
Sunday 5 Oct – 09:00	Caledonian Crushers vs Leicester Tigers Swifts
Sunday 5 Oct – 10:30	Cheltenham Tigers vs London Crusaders
Sunday 5 Oct – 12:00	North East Ulsters vs Leicester Tigers Swifts
Sunday 5 Oct – 13:30	Caledonian Crushers vs London Crusaders
Sunday 5 Oct – 15:00	Cheltenham Tigers vs North East Ulsters

Note: Fixtures subject to change. Please check Tournify for the latest updates.

Join the Action

Spectators are welcome to attend and support the teams. Whether you’re cheering for your local club or discovering the sport for the first time, this is a chance to witness the passion and power of wheelchair rugby.

Live Streaming: Watch selected games live on the GBWR YouTube Channel

Event Info:
Allied Mobility Division Two – Tournament 1

Full team rosters

Caledonian Crushers

0.5 Donald Hutton (+45)
1.0 Alex Partington
1.0 Ross Doherty
1.5 Elliot Cooper
2.0 Mohammed Marjoh (TC)
3.0 Chris Wilson
4.0 Jen Lang (F)(+45)

Cheltenham Tigers (Second Team)

0.5 Matt Badman
1.0 Harry Hamilton
1.5 Kyran Bishop
2.0 Jess Hawkins (F)
2.0 Joe Skidmore
2.0 Josh Payne-Gover
3.0 Millie Partridge (F)
3.5 Sabrin Meyzinev

Leicester Tigers Swifts

1.0 Annah Vickery (F)
1.5 Gemma Lumsdaine (F)
1.5 Jack Coulson
2.0 Byron Durkin-White
2.0 Natasha Williams (F) (TC)
2.5 Brice Maurel (Import)
2.5 Carl Sanger (TC) (+45)
2.5 Kaitlyn Kaminski (F) (TC)
2.5 Lewis Evans
2.5 Luke Collier
3.0 Nichola Charlton (F)

London Crusaders

0.5 Shaun Thorpe
1.0 Imogen Steele (F)
1.5 Bulbul Hussain (+45)
2.0 Joel Saunders
2.0 Justin Frishberg (+45)
2.5 Matt Hignett
3.0 Harvey Zahab
3.5 Ryan Raghoo

North East Udders

0.5 Aran Guthrie
0.5 Daniel Harvey
0.5 David Pells (+45)
1.5 Karl Brown (TC)
2.0 Megan Jenkinson (F) (TC)
2.0 Pete Mcintosh (+45)(TC)
3.0 Josh Tudge
3.0 Tom Blenkinsop (TC)

Ospreys WRC

0.5 Ed Croucher
0.5 Gareth Stokes (+45)
0.5 Georgia Parsons (F) (TC)
1.0 Brad Hedges
1.0 Ieuan Coombes
1.0 Lee Morris
2.0 Matt Wills
2.5 Karleigh West (F) (TC)
4.0 Arran Flay
4.0 Nathan Flay

Stoke Mandeville Maulers

0.5 Jacob Kennedy
1.0 Ben Richardson
1.0 Nev Davis (+45)
1.5 Chantalle Dixon (F) (TC)
1.5 Hannah Wahs (F) (TC)
1.5 Phil Moore
2.5 Ella Beaumont (F)
2.5 Josh Sutton
3.0 Ollie Cole
3.5 Krissie Ransom (F)

West Coast Burn

0.5 Callan Rawnsley
1.0 Dan Kellett
1.0 Ryan Sheridan
1.5 Andrew Calderbank (+45)
1.5 Myles Pearson
2.5 Becky Simpson (F)
2.5 Josh Williams
3.5 Matthew Smedley

Tournament Two Ignites the Premiership Race

Posted on July 8, 2025 at 1:15 pm.

Written by Mick Armstrong

Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby: Fours Premiership 2025 – Tournament Two

Stoke Mandeville Stadium | 5–6 July 2025

The second tournament of the 2025 Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby Fours Premiership brought fierce competition and standout performances to Stoke Mandeville Stadium. With five elite teams competing in the Premiership, the weekend delivered high-intensity matches, tactical brilliance, and a showcase of the sport’s top talent.

As it stands in the Premiership after two tournaments

League Table

Position	Team	Points	TF	TA	TD
1	West Coast Crash	22	456	339	117
2	Leicester Tigers	22	425	373	52
3	Cheltenham Tigers	14	353	407	-54
4	North East Bulls	12	347	398	-51
5	London Storm	10	364	428	-64

Note: West Coast Crash is ranked above Leicester Tigers based on tries scored in head-to-head games.

Recap: Tournament One – Nottingham

Nottingham Wildcats Arena | 21–22 June 2025

The opening tournament of the 2025 Premiership took place at Nottingham Wildcats Arena, setting the tone for a thrilling season. Five of the UK’s top clubs, West Coast Crash, North East Bulls, Leicester Tigers, Cheltenham Tigers, and London Storm, competed in a round-robin format across two days of intense action.

Key matchups included West Coast Crash’s narrow 59–57 win over Leicester Tigers, and Cheltenham Tigers’ dramatic 51–50 victory over North East Bulls.

Tournament One Results

Match & Score
West Coast Crash 60 – 42 Cheltenham Tigers
Leicester Tigers 55 – 48 North East Bulls
London Storm 50 – 47 Cheltenham Tigers
West Coast Crash 58 – 49 North East Bulls
Leicester Tigers 53 – 45 London Storm
Cheltenham Tigers 51 – 50 North East Bulls
West Coast Crash 56 – 44 London Storm
Leicester Tigers 52 – 46 Cheltenham Tigers
London Storm 49 – 54 North East Bulls
West Coast Crash 59 – 57 Leicester Tigers

Tournament Two – Stoke Mandeville

Match Results

Date	Match & Score
Sat 5 July	North East Bulls 46 – 41 Cheltenham Tigers
	London Storm 44 – 50 Leicester Tigers
	West Coast Crash 54 – 38 North East Bulls
	Leicester Tigers 52 – 45 Cheltenham Tigers
	West Coast Crash 57 – 46 London Storm
	North East Bulls 43 – 54 Leicester Tigers
Sun 6 July	Cheltenham Tigers 37 – 62 West Coast Crash
	London Storm 41 – 61 North East Bulls
	West Coast Crash 55 – 57 Leicester Tigers
	London Storm 49 – 55 Cheltenham Tigers

Day 1: Saturday Showdowns

Bulls Start Strong, Crash Dominate

The North East Bulls opened the tournament with a hard-fought 46–41 win over the Cheltenham Tigers, showcasing their defensive discipline and fast breaks. However, their momentum was quickly halted by a dominant West Coast Crash, who overpowered them 54–38 in their second match.

Meanwhile, Leicester Tigers emerged as early contenders, edging out London Storm 50–44 and later defeating Cheltenham 52–45. Their consistency and tactical execution made them one of the standout teams of the day.

Crash and Leicester Set the Pace

West Coast Crash continued their unbeaten run with a 57–46 win over London Storm, asserting themselves as the team to beat. The day concluded with Leicester Tigers defeating the Bulls 54–43, solidifying their place at the top of the table for tournament two.

Day 2: Sunday Drama and Final Flourishes

Crash vs. Leicester: A Nail-Biter

Sunday opened with West Coast Crash overpowering Cheltenham 62–37, but the highlight of the day was their narrow 55–57 loss to Leicester Tigers (Watch the Game on YouTube). Leicester’s composure under pressure proved decisive.

Bulls Bounce Back, Cheltenham Shine

The North East Bulls rebounded with a commanding 61–41 win over London Storm, while Cheltenham Tigers ended their campaign on a high, defeating London 55–49 in a spirited performance.

Watch the Action: Live-Streamed Match on GBWR YouTube

For fans who couldn’t make it to Stoke Mandeville, one of the standout matches from Tournament 2 was broadcast live on the GBWR YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary from Adam Simmons and Stuart McLindon.

Their dynamic analysis and in-depth knowledge brought the game to life, offering viewers a front-row seat to the speed, strategy, and intensity of wheelchair rugby.

Watch the full match replay here:
GBWR YouTube Live – Tournament Two Feature Match: Crash v L Tigers

Don’t miss out, relive the action and witness the best of the Premiership in motion.

Standout Players and Awards

Best in Class – Premiership Tournament Two

The following athletes were recognised as the Best in Class for their classification during Tournament 2, highlighting their exceptional skill, impact, and consistency across the weekend:

Classification	Player	Team
0.5	Jack Smith	Bulls
1.0	Alex Smart	Cheltenham
1.5	Nick Cummins	London
2.0	Coral Batey	Bulls
2.5	Danny Dawoud	Crash
3.0	Josh Tudge	Bulls
3.5	Theo Baraton	Bulls

Science in Sport MVP: Theo Baraton (North East Bulls)

Theo Baraton’s commanding presence on court, tactical intelligence, and leadership earned him the Most Valuable Player award for Tournament 2. His performance was instrumental in the Bulls’ key victories and competitive edge throughout the weekend.

Official Appreciation Award: Heather Williams

The Official Appreciation Award was presented to Heather Williams in recognition of her outstanding service and dedication to the sport. Her contributions continue to elevate the wheelchair rugby community and the Allied Mobility Premiership.

Stats Corner: Premiership by Numbers

As the Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby: Fours Premiership 2025 heads into its final stage, the numbers tell a compelling story of standout individual performances, team dominance, and discipline on court. Here’s a breakdown of the key stats from the first two tournaments and the overall standings so far.

Tournament 1 – Wildcats Arena

Top Try Scorers (50+ tries)

Player	Team	Tries
Stuart	West Coast Crash	105
Seb	Leicester Tigers	85
Davy	Cheltenham Tigers	65
Josh	London Storm	64
Millie R.	North East Bulls	55

Team Tries Scored

Team	Tries
West Coast Crash	226
Leicester Tigers	214
London Storm	194

Penalty Bin Visits (Team)

Team	Visits
London Storm	12
Cheltenham Tigers	11
West Coast Crash	11
Leicester Tigers	6

Tournament 2 – Stoke Mandeville Stadium

Top Try Scorers (50+ tries)

Player	Team	Tries
Seb	Leicester Tigers	114
Stuart	West Coast Crash	98
Davy	Cheltenham Tigers	86
Gavin	Leicester Tigers	84
Josh	London Storm	54

Team Tries Scored

Team	Tries
Leicester Tigers	214
West Coast Crash	198
North East Bulls	186
London Storm	178
Cheltenham Tigers	172

Overall Premiership Totals (After Two Tournaments)

Top Try Scorers

Player	Team	Total Tries
Stuart	West Coast Crash	219
Seb	Leicester Tigers	194
Davy	Cheltenham Tigers	187

Total Tries by Team

Team	Total Tries
West Coast Crash	462
Leicester Tigers	436
North East Bulls	347

Penalty Bin Visits (Team Totals)

Team	Visits
London Storm	21
North East Bulls	17
West Coast Crash	17
Leicester Tigers	16

Conclusion

With the final tournament fast approaching, the stats reflect just how competitive this season has been. Stuart and Seb are locked in a thrilling race for top try scorer, while West Coast Crash and Leicester Tigers continue to trade blows at the top of the table. Every try, every tackle, and every penalty could make the difference as the Premiership heads toward its dramatic conclusion.

Looking Ahead

With two tournaments now complete, the WR Premiership T2 2025 standings are beginning to take shape. West Coast Crash and Leicester Tigers are neck-and-neck at the top, each with 22 points, but West Coast Crash holds the edge due to superior try-scoring in head-to-head matchups.

Meanwhile, Cheltenham Tigers and North East Bulls are battling for mid-table positions, showing flashes of brilliance but needing consistency. London Storm, despite some competitive performances, will be looking to turn things around in the final stages.

As the competition heads toward its final showdown, fans can expect even more drama, intensity, and world-class wheelchair rugby.

2025 Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby: Fours Premiership (tournament three) – Stoke

Premiership Tournament One Round-Up

Posted on June 26, 2025 at 9:05 am.

Written by Mick Armstrong

Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby: Fours Premiership 2025 – Tournament One Round-Up

Wildcats Arena, Nottingham | 21–22 June 2025

The Wildcats Arena was the stage for a spectacular weekend of elite wheelchair rugby as five of the UK’s top teams battled it out in the 2025 Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby: Fours Premiership. Across two days of high-octane action, fans were treated to tactical brilliance, fierce rivalries, and standout individual performances.

Watch the Action Unfold – Highlights from Nottingham

Relive the intensity, skill, and spirit of the 2025 Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby: Fours Premiership, held at Nottingham Wildcats Arena. This highlight reel captures the best moments from a weekend of unforgettable competition, featuring top plays, team triumphs, and the electric atmosphere that made this event so special. Hit play and experience the action all over again!

Day 1 – Saturday 21 June

West Coast Crash opened their campaign in dominant fashion, defeating North East Bulls 54–35 and then overpowering Cheltenham Tigers 62–32. Their aggressive press and clinical finishing made them early favourites.

Leicester Tigers also impressed, beating Cheltenham 54–42 and edging out London Storm 55–44 in a tightly contested match.

London Storm bounced back with a 52–40 win over North East Bulls but couldn’t maintain momentum, falling to Leicester later in the day.

Cheltenham Tigers ended the day with a crucial 47–40 win over North East Bulls to stay in the hunt.

Day 2 – Sunday 22 June

Sunday’s fixtures built toward a dramatic finale. Leicester Tigers opened with a 55–44 win over North East Bulls, while London Storm fell to both West Coast Crash (56–46) and Cheltenham Tigers (54–42).

The day culminated in the headline and final clash between the two unbeaten sides: West Coast Crash and Leicester Tigers. In a high-stakes, high-intensity showdown, Crash emerged victorious 56–48, sealing their place at the top of the Group with a perfect record.

“While Saturday was a bit of a slow burner, teams hit their stride on Sunday, giving us some great games and a glimpse into how competitive the rest of the season will be. London, Cheltenham and Bulls all showed that they can compete with the top two for patches of the game, with more consistency and connection (and another high pointer for the Bulls) the games will be even closer.

It was exciting to see so many Pathway players get a chance to compete at this level, we believe competition is vital for players development and the premiership certainly stretches and challenges their skill set.”

Stuart McLindon – Performance Pathway Manager

Final Group Standings – Tournament One

Pos	Team	Pld	W	L	Pts	GF	GA	GD
1	West Coast Crash	4	4	0	12	228	161	+67
2	Leicester Tigers	4	3	1	10	212	186	+26
3	Cheltenham Tigers	4	2	2	8	175	198	-23
4	London Storm	4	1	3	6	184	205	-21
5	North East Bulls	4	0	4	4	159	208	-49

Best in Class – Premiership 2025 – Tournament One

For the first time, the Best in Class awards were selected through a collaborative process involving all five team coaches. At lunchtime on Sunday, the coaches came together to discuss and agree on the top-performing athletes in each classification. This group decision ensured a fair and balanced recognition of excellence across the tournament.

Classification	Name	Team
0.5	Muhammad Islam	West Coast Crash
1.0	Bulbul Hussain	London Storm
1.5	Myles Pearson	West Coast Crash
2.0	Coral Batey	North East Bulls
2.5	Danny Dawoud	West Coast Crash
3.0	Seb Verdin	Leicester Tigers
3.5	Stuart Robinson	West Coast Crash

MVP – Most Valuable Player

Millie Partridge
Team: North East Bulls

Squad Lists

Team	Players
Cheltenham Tigers	Jamie Evans (0.5), Sam Dickinson (0.5), Alex Smart (1.0), Luke Wilson (1.0), Kyran Bishop (1.5), Davy Van Den Dop (3.0), Babrin Meyzinev (3.5), Tyler Walker (3.5)
Leicester Tigers	Bruno Carrico (0.5), Gemma Lumsdaine (1.5, F), Jack Coulson (1.5), Laurence Ball (1.5), Gavin Walker (2.0), Lewis Evans (2.5), Luke Collier (2.5), Gaz Scholes (3.0), Seb Verdin (3.0), Faye West (3.0, F)
London Storm	Harry Langley (0.5), Jonny Coggan (0.5), Bulbul Hussain (1.0), Nick Cummins (1.5), Dave Ross (2.0), Joel Saunders (2.0), Ollie Mangion (3.0), Ryan Raghoo (3.5)
North East Bulls	Gareth Herridge (0.5), Jack Smith (0.5), Coral Batey (2.0, F), Jonny Collingwood (2.0), Josh Payne-Gover (2.0), Josh Tudge (3.0), Millie Partridge (3.0, F)
West Coast Crash	Muhammad Islam (0.5), Jodie Punshon (1.0), Harri Jenkins (1.5), Myles Pearson (1.5), Byron Durkin-White (2.0), Daniel Dawoud (2.5), Josh Williams (2.5), Hannah Bucys (3.0), Stuart Robinson (3.5)

Thank You

A huge thank you to all the volunteers, table officials, referees, coaches, support staff, and our amazing fans and supporters. Your dedication, energy, and passion are what make events like this possible. We couldn’t do it without you!

Allied Mobility – The UK’s Leading WAV Supplier

WR5 Plymouth Match report

Posted on May 20, 2025 at 11:15 am.

Written by Mick Armstrong

Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby 5s

📍 Location: Plymouth Life Centre
📅 Dates: Saturday 17 – Sunday 18 May 2025

The 2025 Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby 5s season roared into action at the Plymouth Life Centre on 17–18 May, delivering a thrilling weekend of high-impact sport, fierce competition, and inspiring performances. With teams from League 1, League 2, the Championship, and the Premiership all taking to the court, the tournament showcased the very best of wheelchair rugby 5s — from tactical brilliance and raw athleticism to the unshakable spirit of the players. This opening event set the tone for an electrifying season ahead.

Saturday 17 May – League 1 & League 2 Action

League 1

League 1 delivered a weekend of intense matchups and standout performances, with the Dragons emerging as the dominant force. Winning all four of their games, they showcased tactical discipline and scoring power. RGC pushed them closest in a thrilling 25–24 encounter, while West Country Hawks and Saracens battled hard for mid-table positions. Despite a tough run, the Endeavour Punishers showed resilience and promise for future rounds.

League 1 – Group A Results

Match	Score
Endeavour Punishers 13 – 30 RGC	RGC dominated early
West Country Hawks 17 – 19 Dragons	Narrow win for Dragons
Endeavour Punishers 10 – 18 Saracens	Saracens take control
Dragons 25 – 24 RGC	Match of the day thriller
RGC 29 – 9 West Country Hawks	RGC bounce back
Saracens 12 – 20 Dragons	Dragons stay unbeaten
Dragons 19 – 11 Endeavour Punishers	Dragons seal top spot
Saracens 12 – 20 West Country Hawks	Hawks finish strong
West Country Hawks 23 – 16 Endeavour Punishers	Hawks edge out Punishers
RGC 24 – 13 Saracens	RGC secure second place

League 1 Standings

	WR5s League 1 T1 2025 League Standings

Position	Team	Points	TF	TA	TD
1	Dragons	12	64	53	11
2	RGC	10	83	47	36
3	Hawks	8	46	60	-14
4	Saracens	6	42	50	-8
5	Endeavour Punishers	4	34	67	-33

League 2

LT Swifts were the team to beat in League 2, sweeping through the group stage with commanding wins and an impressive +55 goal difference. Harlequins also impressed with two strong victories, while Burton Wheelchair Rugby edged out Brighton Buccaneers in a competitive lower-table clash. The Swifts’ consistency and cohesion made them clear early favourites in the division.

League 2 – Group A Results

Match	Score
LT Swifts 27 – 16 Burton Wheelchair Rugby	Strong start for Swifts
Harlequins 26 – 1 Brighton Buccaneers	Harlequins dominate
LT Swifts 31 – 4 Brighton Buccaneers	Swifts unstoppable
Burton Wheelchair Rugby 15 – 16 Harlequins	Tight win for Harlequins
Brighton Buccaneers 9 – 24 Burton Wheelchair Rugby	Buccaneers show fight
Harlequins 7 – 24 LT Swifts	Swifts top the group

League 2 Standings

	WR5s League 2 T1 2025 League Standings

Position	Team	Points	TF	TA	TD
1	LT Swifts	5	82	27	55
2	Harlequins	4	49	40	9
3	Burton	3	55	52	3
4	Brighton Buccaneers	2	14	81	-67

Phase 2 Matches

Match B: LT Swifts 21 – 15 Harlequins

Match C: Burton Wheelchair Rugby 25 – 3 Brighton Buccaneers

Sunday 18 May – Championship & Premiership

Championship

The Penrith Pumas roared through the Championship group stage with a perfect record, combining defensive solidity with attacking flair. Berkshire Banshees Green and Crawley Jets kept the pressure on with strong showings, while Ospreys and Coventry Stampede fought valiantly in a tightly contested field. The Pumas’ +33 goal difference underlined their dominance and intent for the season ahead.

Championship Highlights

Penrith Pumas went undefeated, winning all four matches and topping the group with a +33 goal difference.

Berkshire Banshees Green and Crawley Jets also impressed with strong performances.

Coventry Stampede struggled, finishing without a win.

Championship Standings

	WR5s Championship T1 2025 League Standings

Position	Team	Points	TF	TA	TD
1	Penrith Pumas	12	103	70	33
2	Barkshire Banshees Green	10	91	87	4
3	Crawley Jets	8	97	76	21
4	Ospreys	6	86	79	7
5	Coventry Stampede	4	47	112	-65

Premiership

In the Premiership, Leicester Tigers were in a league of their own, winning all four matches and finishing with a staggering +53 goal difference. Help for Heroes and Northampton Saints battled closely behind, each securing key wins in a highly competitive group. Despite spirited efforts, North East Barbarians and Solent Sharks Red couldn’t break into the top three, but showed flashes of potential throughout the weekend.

Premiership Highlights

Leicester Tigers were dominant, winning all four matches with a massive +53 goal difference.

Help for Heroes and Northampton Saints battled closely for second place.

Solent Sharks Red and North East Barbarians showed flashes of brilliance but couldn’t break into the top two.

Premiership Standings

	WR5s Premiership T1 2025 League Standings

Position	Team	Points	TF	TA	TD
1	Leicester Tigers	12	78	25	53
2	Help for Heroes	10	51	58	-7
3	Northampton Saints	8	52	68	-16
4	North East Barbarians	6	61	58	3
5	Solent Sharks Red	4	51	75	-24

Final Thoughts

The 2025 season opener in Plymouth delivered high-octane action, tactical brilliance, and inspiring performances across all divisions. From the Dragons’ perfect run in League 1 to the Leicester Tigers’ dominance in the Premiership, the tournament set the tone for an exciting year of wheelchair rugby 5s.

Don’t Miss the Next Tournament!

The action continues with the next stop in the 2025 Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby 5s series! Join us for Tournament 2, where teams will once again clash for points, pride, and progression in this thrilling league. Mark your calendars and follow the excitement as the season heats up.

👉 Click here for full event details and updates

Photo Credit: Julie Naylor

Who Can Play Wheelchair Rugby?

Posted on May 13, 2025 at 2:38 pm.

Written by Mick Armstrong

There are two disciplines of wheelchair rugby Wheelchair Rugby (Paralympic Discipline) and Wheelchair Rugby Fives (WR5s), because they serve different eligibility criteria and audiences within the adaptive sports community.

Wheelchair Rugby (Paralympic Discipline) is a dynamic, high-performance sport played at both elite and grassroots levels, including the Paralympic Games. It is governed by World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) and has strict eligibility criteria, players must have significant physical impairments that affect both upper and lower limbs. Teams consist of four players on court, and athletes are classified using a point system to ensure fair competition.

Wheelchair Rugby Fives (WR5s) is a more inclusive version of the sport, created to broaden participation at the community and grassroots level. It is open to anyone with a permanent physical disability that prevents them from playing running rugby, including those who may not meet Paralympic classification. WR5s is played with five players per team and has fewer restrictions, making it ideal for new players, youth, and rehabilitation programs.

Gender Inclusive

Both formats of wheelchair rugby, Wheelchair Rugby (Paralympic Discipline) and Wheelchair Rugby Fives (WR5s) are proudly gender inclusive. Athletes of all genders compete alongside one another on the same teams, with no gender-based divisions. This inclusive approach reflects the sport’s commitment to equality, teamwork, and accessibility, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to participate, compete, and excel at every level of the game.

Both formats offer exciting opportunities to get involved, whether you’re aiming for elite competition or looking for a fun, inclusive team sport.

Click here to find a local club for either version of the wheelchair rugby.

What is Wheelchair Rugby Video

Here’s why both exist:

Wheelchair rugby is played in two formats to ensure it’s both inclusive and competitive.

Wheelchair Rugby (Paralympic Discipline) is a high-performance sport for elite athletes with impairments in both upper and lower limbs, governed by World Wheelchair Rugby and played internationally, including at the Paralympic Games. Alongside this, a thriving grassroots scene welcomes a wider range of impairments, focusing on participation, development, and community—offering opportunities for everyone to get involved, from beginners to future stars.

Wheelchair Rugby Fives (WR5s) was created to broaden access to the sport. It welcomes anyone with a permanent physical disability who cannot play running rugby, using a more flexible structure ideal for community participation, youth engagement, and rehabilitation. Together, these formats ensure that everyone has a pathway to play.

1. Wheelchair Rugby (Paralympic Discipline)

Purpose: Designed for elite competition at the highest level, including the Paralympic Games.
Eligibility: Strict classification system for athletes with physical impairments affecting both upper and lower limbs.
Structure: Played with four players per team on court, using a point-based classification cap.
Governance: Overseen by World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR).
Focus: Participation, development, and fun—ideal for new players, youth, and rehabilitation programs and High-performance sport, international competition, and elite athlete development.

2. Wheelchair Rugby Fives (WR5s)

Purpose: Created to be more inclusive and accessible, especially at the community and grassroots level.
Eligibility: Open to a broader range of physical impairments, including those who may not qualify for Paralympic classification.
Structure: Played with five players per team and less restrictive classifications.
Governance: Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby.
Focus: Participation, development, and fun—ideal for new players, youth, and rehabilitation programs.

Click here to find a local club for either version of the wheelchair rugby.

Who Can Play?

Who Can Play Wheelchair Rugby (Paralympic Discipline)?

This is the version played at the Paralympic Games and governed by World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR).

Eligibility Requirements:

Athletes must have a physical impairment that affects both upper and lower limbs.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) define ten eligible impairment types for parasport. World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) includes six physical impairment types as eligible for wheelchair rugby:

Impaired muscle power
Limb deficiency
Impaired passive range of movement
Hypertonia
Ataxia
Athetosis

Eligible impairment types include:

Spinal Cord Injury
Limb Deficiency
Cerebral Palsy
Amputee
Amniotic Band Syndrome
Arthrogryposis
Charcot Marie Tooth
Muscular Dystrophy
Multiple Sclerosis
Roberts Syndrome
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Ectrodactly

Athletes undergo a classification process to determine their sport class (ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 points).

A team of four players on court must not exceed 8.0 points total.

Who Can Play Wheelchair Rugby Fives (WR5s)?

WR5s is a more inclusive and flexible version of the sport, designed to broaden participation.

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to anyone with a permanent physical impairment.
Includes individuals who may not meet the stricter Paralympic classification criteria.
Designed to be inclusive of a wider range of disabilities, including those with less severe impairments.
Wheelchair rugby 5s was initially played in community, development, and recreational settings, but has since evolved into a structured and competitive sport. Today, it features a five-tier league system in the UK: the Premiership, Championship, Leagues 1, 2, and 3, plus local development leagues, providing opportunities for athletes at all levels to compete, progress, and thrive within the sport.

Wheelchair Rugby Summary Table

Feature	Wheelchair Rugby (Paralympic Discipline)	Wheelchair Rugby Fives (WR5s)
Governing Body	World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR)	Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR)
Impairment Requirement	Upper & lower limb Impairments	Any physical physical impairment that stops them playing running rugby
Classification System	Yes (0.5–3.5 points)	Simplified
Gender Inclusion	Mixed, with female bonus	Mixed, with female bonus
Competitive Level	Elite/Paralympic	GB National Leagues