Wheelchair rugby is fast paced, high octane, highly addictive and the only full contact Paralympic sport. Since the London 2012 Paralympics, wheelchair rugby has exploded in growth across the country. As the National Governing Body for wheelchair rugby, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR), has been at the forefront of that growth and has set out to expand and create vibrant wheelchair rugby communities.
There are currently two versions of wheelchair rugby: Paralympic and Wheelchair Rugby Fives. As the name implies, Wheelchair Rugby Fives features five players on the court, while the Paralympic version has four. The Paralympic discipline is designed for tetraplegic players, whereas Wheelchair Rugby Fives is open to anyone with a physical impairment, including paraplegics. While the Paralympic discipline is central to GBWR’s mission, the introduction of Wheelchair Rugby Fives broadens the sport’s reach, allowing more people to experience the benefits of participating in organised sports.