Wheelchair Rugby, the most exciting game of the 2012 London Paralympics, returns to Stoke Mandeville this weekend when the Coloplast Super Series league takes place at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttman Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9PP on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 January. Players from the 2012 squad will join their local team members to battle it out in an action packed weekend of rugby with all the top teams fighting it out for the Coloplast Super Series crown.
A terrifying fusion of ice hockey, handball and rugby, the game was founded in Canada in 1977 and was originally dubbed ‘Murderball’. It’s not just about brute force though – tactically it’s a very intelligent game to be involved in. Eight rolling substitutes make up squads of 12, with four players on court per team at any time. The aim is to thunder across your opponents’ goal line with two wheels in contact with the hardwood floor and the ball in your hands. Players in possession have to bounce the ball or pass with within 10 seconds of receiving it.
Wheelchair Rugby was one of the major highlights of the London 2012 Paralympics, with players regularly hitting the front pages of the national newspapers, and David Pond, CEO GBWR, feels 2013 will be just as exciting, “With the good news of our successful funding from UK Sport and Sport England I believe we now have a great opportunity to build something pretty special over the next cycle” he comments.
As part of the weekend GBWR will be running an Introductory Workshop during the first day of the Coloplast Super Series (Saturday) aimed at anyone interested in learning more about the game – particularly those interested in volunteering and officiating tournaments.
Entry is free, and the days will begin at 8.00am and run through until 7pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday. For a full schedule check out the GBWR website on www.gbwr.org.uk
