During the lockdown period, GBWR continued to communicate with all our clubs across many issues. A key issue that arose a number of times was the Wheelchair Rugby 5s eligibility criteria and whether it should be expanded to include potential players with pain related conditions.
In light of the discussions with clubs, GBWR organised an in-depth Wheelchair Rugby 5s eligibility consultation with its members.
The consultation attracted the highest response from any consultation previously undertaken by the national governing body. In total 134 members from twenty-four clubs gave their views on expanding the eligibility criteria of Wheelchair Rugby 5s. The consultation centred around two questions:
Are you supportive of including players with the following impairments to participate in Wheelchair Rugby 5s?
- Chronic pain disorder
- Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Fibromyalgia
- Functional movement disorders
and
Are you supportive of adding a 4.0-point player to the Wheelchair Rugby 5s classification?
Over 70% of players and over 60% of coaches that took part in the consultation were in favour of incorporating players with pain-related conditions into the Wheelchair Rugby 5s eligibility criteria and expanding the current criteria to include a new 4.0 classification.
After careful consideration of these findings, GBWR can announce that from today any person with the following impairments: chronic pain disorder, chronic regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, and functional movement disorders, will be welcome to train and compete in all GBWR Wheelchair Rugby 5s events, including the Big Rugby Return festivals and the WR5s League, providing they can produce medical documentation confirming one of the above disabilities. For further guidance on confirming a players disability please refer to GBWR’s Wheelchair Rugby 5s eligibility criteria.
Wheelchair Rugby 5s: Eligibility Criteria
GBWR would like to thank all of our members for taking the time to give their views on this subject
For transparency purposes GBWR has published the consultation results:
