Penarth Leisure Centre hosts Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby league games
Current national squad players were in action when the Vale of
Glamorgan Council's Penarth Leisure Centre hosted opening games in
this year's Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby league competition.
The event comprised a series of fast paced fixtures in the
Coloplast League and featured South Wales Pirates, who train in
Barry, Nottingham Marauders and London Lions. The league also
involves teams from Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Ireland, Scotland and
North Wales.
The day was organised with the help of the Vale council's
Disability Sport Wales development officer, Linda Ruston, who said:
“Wheelchair rugby is a team sport for tetraplegics or anybody with
an upper limb impairment. If you can push a wheelchair, you can
play. Players use specially adapted court wheelchairs. We were very
pleased to host one of the national league legs in the Vale.”
The event was supported by Michelle Daltry, Disability Sport
Wales national manager and chairman of the Welsh Wheelchair Rugby
Association, and Cardiff Blues winger Chris Czekaj who was
delighted to watch the first South Wales Pirates match.
Chris, who is recovering from a broken leg, said: “Wheelchair
rugby provides players with a great way of involvement in the
sport. I have really enjoyed watching the game and supporting the
Pirates.”
Wheelchair rugby is played on a standard basketball court using
a volley ball. Wheelchair contact is an integral part of the game
although no body contact is permitted. This produces an
action-packed game with striking wheels and blocking, and much
debate on who may be sent to the sin-bin.
Players are classified on a point system (0.5 to 3.5 - depending
on their arm, hand and trunk muscle function and strength) and
scores are achieved by carrying the ball over the opposition goal
line. Four players per team are permitted on the pitch at any one
time and their joint classification must not exceed 8.0; strategic
substitutions are allowed.
Rob Davies, who has been with the Pirates for just six months,
experienced loss of limb use following a rugby injury while
representing Brecon. He enthused: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing
and getting fitter. There’s excellent camaraderie and, what’s more,
I’ve lost weight since training.”
Cabinet member for tourism and leisure Cllr Gwyn John praised
the efforts of the players. He said: “The day was enjoyed by
players and spectators. Wheelchair rugby continues to grow in
popularity, and the sport was granted full medal status at the 2000
Paralympics in Sydney. This discipline enjoys fantastic support
from a team of volunteers who are as keen as the players to ensure
success.”
Results were: Nottingham Marauders 38, London Lions 42; South
Wales Pirates 43, Marauders 31; Pirates 43, Lions 56; Marauders 46,
Lions 41.
Pirates: Mike Spence (captain), Gareth Stokes, Dave Rhodes, Dave
Anthony, Rob Davies, Richard Vowles, Gary Poppleton, Adam Simmons
and coach Paul Jenkins.
The Pirates train twice a week, including Saturdays from 10.30am
- 1.30pm, at the Colcot Sports Centre in Barry.
For information on disability sport in the Vale, contact Linda
Ruston on 01446 704728 or visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/disabilitysport.
Alternatively, visit the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby website at
www.gbwr.co.uk or www.cardiffblues.com.