WR5s Nationals Return to Kettering Arena This October
Twelve teams. Two trophies. One weekend of wheelchair rugby.
The Allied Mobility WR5s Nationals return to Kettering Arena on 3-4 October 2026, bringing together 12 teams from across Great Britain for a weekend of competition, community and championship ambitions.
Now in its third year, WR5s Nationals has become a key fixture in the wheelchair rugby calendar, providing clubs competing in the WR5s format with the opportunity to test themselves against teams from across the country and compete for national honours.
This year’s competition will feature two tournaments, the Cup and the Shield, with teams divided into pools before progressing to knockout matches on Sunday.
All matches will be played using the full Paralympic discipline format, with four eight-minute quarters of stopping-clock wheelchair rugby.
Cup Competition
The Cup competition features six teams competing for the WR5s Nationals title.
Fresh from their Premiership-winning campaign, Penrith Pumas arrive in Kettering as one of the teams to beat. They are joined by fellow Premiership clubs Leicester Tigers, North East Barbarians and Northampton Saints.
The competition also welcomes newly promoted RGC 1404, who secured the Championship title last season, while Crawley Jets will look to prove they belong among the top teams after narrowly missing out on promotion.
Cup Groups
Group A
- Penrith Pumas
- Northampton Saints
- RGC 1404
Group B
- Leicester Tigers
- North East Barbarians
- Crawley Jets
Shield Competition
The Shield competition promises to be equally competitive, bringing together clubs from League One and the Championship.
West Country Hawks, Dragons and Saracens represent League One, while Team Solent Sharks, Ospreys and Berkshire Banshees complete the line-up.
Shield Groups
Group A
- Team Solent Sharks
- Berkshire Banshees
- Saracens
Group B
- Ospreys
- West Country Hawks
- Dragons
Players to Watch
The weekend will feature a blend of experienced competitors, emerging athletes and junior players.
For Penrith Pumas, Alexander Evans continues his development after progressing through the junior pathway.
Northampton Saints bring a number of young athletes to Kettering, including Abraham Johnson, Leon Wray, Lenny Webb and Luke Lester.
The competition also features a strong representation of female athletes across several clubs, highlighting the inclusive nature of wheelchair rugby and the opportunities available within WR5s competition.
How the Weekend Works
Saturday will see teams compete in group stage matches, with the top teams progressing to Sunday’s semi-finals.
Sunday’s schedule includes:
- Shield Semi Finals
- Cup Semi Finals
- 5th/6th Playoffs
- Shield Bronze Match
- Shield Final
- Cup Bronze Match
- Cup Final
The weekend will culminate with the WR5s Nationals Cup Final at 3:30pm on Sunday.
Watch Live
Can’t make it to Kettering?
Every match from the WR5s Nationals will be streamed live on the GBWR YouTube channel across Court 1 and Court 2, allowing supporters, friends and family to follow the action throughout the weekend.
From the opening group games on Saturday to the Shield and Cup Finals on Sunday, you’ll be able to watch the action live wherever you are.
📺 Watch live on the GBWR YouTube Channel
Follow GBWR on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for fixtures, hilghights, interviews and behind-the-scenes content throughout the weekend.
GBWR is also looking for volunteer commentators for the event. Anyone interested in supporting the live streams should contact:
📧 competitions@gbwr.org.uk
More Than Just Competition
WR5s Nationals is about more than results.
The event brings together clubs from across the country, providing opportunities for players to reconnect with friends, build relationships and celebrate everything that makes wheelchair rugby special.
Whether you’re competing for a trophy, supporting a teammate or watching from the stands, WR5s Nationals is one of the highlights of the domestic wheelchair rugby season.
Get Involved
Interested in giving wheelchair rugby a try?
WR5s offers opportunities for people with a wide range of permanent physical disabilities to experience competitive wheelchair rugby in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Find your nearest club and start your wheelchair rugby journey today:
https://gbwr.org.uk/find-a-club/
Spectators are welcome throughout at Kettering Arena, with free entry available in the designated viewing areas.
The road to becoming WR5s National Champions starts on 3 October.
