Wheelchair Rugby – Something for Everyone!  

Allied Mobility is excited to begin a new, three-year partnership with Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR). To help celebrate 30 years in business, the UK’s leading wheelchair accessible vehicle provider has teamed up with GBWR to sponsor both national leagues; Allied Mobility: Wheelchair Rugby Fours National Series and Allied Mobility: WR5s League. 

Big Hits, Big Action

Described by GBWR as “action-packed involving speed, full chair contact, hard hits, precision, physical determination and teamwork”, the sport has evolved over time, growing in popularity each year.

Wheelchair rugby was originally a single discipline sport with Wheelchair Rugby Fours aimed solely at tetraplegic players and only eight clubs competing in the series. However, following the success of the 2012 London Paralympics, the sport received a big boost in interest and expanded to include a league that opened up opportunities to players with various physical disabilities, Wheelchair Rugby Fives (WR5s). Now, more than a decade on, the sport is home to 38 teams across the two disciplines, spread across Great Britain.

A League of Your Own

Do you have dreams of suiting up for Team GB as a future Paralympian or are you looking to hit the court for some exercise and more relaxed socialising? Wheelchair rugby could be the sport for you. While eligibility and team size differ for each discipline within GB Wheelchair Rugby, games rules are the same. Both are played on an indoor regulation size basketball court, with a ball similar to that used in volleyball.  

The attacking team can make progress by ‘wheeling’ with the ball or by throwing it to a teammate every 10 seconds. Goals are scored by crossing the try line with the ball in the possession of one of the attacking players.

Defenders can use their chair to block the path of an attacking player or to ‘trap’ them in one spot. They can try to intercept a pass or to ‘rob’ the ball from the hands or lap of the opposing ball carrier.  

Specialised wheelchairs are needed due to the physical nature of the sport. From time to time, a player’s wheelchair may overturn, resulting in a pause in the match to get them back into play!  

Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby: Fours National Series 

Often referred to as the Paralympic discipline, teams consist of both men and women competing in either the Premiership or Division 1, 2 or 3. While a squad is made up of 12 players, as the name suggests, only four players per team are allowed in the game at the one time. Find out more about Wheelchair Ruby Fours here.  

Allied Mobility: WR5s League 

Similarly, teams are mixed gender and compete in the Premiership, Championship or Leagues 1 and 2. An additional player brings the team total to five. Find out more about WR5s here.  

Become a Wheelchair Rugby Supporter  

If you prefer the thrill of live sport from a distance, why not get behind your local team? With tournaments for both Wheelchair Ruby Fours and WR5s up and down the country throughout 2024, you can take part of cheer your favourite players over the try line.  

Clubs are always looking to welcome new players, volunteers and supporters. Whether you’re looking to join a club or extend your support, you can find a local wheelchair rugby club here.  

Inclusive Sporting Opportunities 

CEO of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby, Jason Brisbane, expressed his excitement about the new sponsorship, saying: “This partnership is founded on a common goal of promoting awareness of, and participation in, wheelchair rugby. We’re thrilled to announce this partnership with Allied Mobility, uniting our shared goals and purpose of increasing accessibility and inclusivity for the disability community.” 

Peter Facenna, managing director of Allied Mobility, commented: “We’re hugely excited to be working with GB Wheelchair Rugby. Sport provides a special opportunity for people to make friends, gain confidence, travel and find added purpose in their lives. It would be great if we can play a part in enabling even more wheelchair users to get involved in rugby, whether as players, coaches, volunteers or supporters.”