NSW Wheelchair Rugby League Season Launch

The NSW Wheelchair Rugby League (NSWWRL) is excited to announce their 2013 launch season this Sunday at Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre, Belmore Rd Riverwood.

The NSWWRL was established as a non-for-profit sporting organisation for people with disabilies in 2009 and since then the NSWWRL has gone from strength to strength by building awareness at all levels of the game of the aspirations and opportunities for disabled athletes within Rugby League.

The 2013 season is shaping up as the biggest year yet for the NSWWRL after the competition has grown to consist of eight competing sides, each supported by a NRL club.

Former NRL halfback and Wheelchair Rugby League Ambassador Mathew Head will be kicking off the start of the season at 4:00pm, with an expected crowd of over 100 people.

Teams are sponsored by us here at the Canberra Raiders along with the St George Illawarra Dragons, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Cronulla Sharks, Newcastle Knights, Penrith Panthers, Parramatta Eels and the Sydney Roosters.

Wheelchair Rugby League is not just be for people with disabilities though and the NSWWRL encourages non-disabled athletes to compete as well which is something not many other sports have the ability to offer.

Teams can consist of amputees, people with disability, wheelchair users and able bodied players who are all on the same playing level when in a wheelchair.

President of the NSWWRL Joseph Chidiac hopes to demonstrate the ability of people with disability and portray to the Australian public the great concept of Wheelchair Rugby League and increase the games awareness throughout the year.

“Our athletes get by on a never-give-up attitude, they fight and scrap for every inch and the 2012 Wheelchair Rugby League Season was an example of just that. I couldn’t be more proud of our athletes and the effort they showed during that season and I can’t wait for 2013.”

Canberra Raiders star Shaun Fensom was very impressed with the concept after witnessing the wheelchair rugby league clips on YouTube.

“It certainly looks very exciting and a fun version of the game to be involved in,” said Fensom. “Considering the adversity that some of the participants have had to overcome the sport is very impressive and quite inspiring.”

This coming season will be a particularly exciting year for Wheelchair Rugby League with spots up for grabs in the Australian National Team at the end of the year.

“The 2013 NSW Wheelchair Rugby League Season will shape to be a memorable one with more athletes and the incentive of trying to make the Australian National Team for the World Cup in England in July 2013.”

Players and teams are still able to register for the 2013 season with registrations closing on the 4th of November 2012. To register please visit
www.nswwrl.com.au