Wheelchair Rugby
• Commonly known as “Murderball”.
• The sport is currently played in 35 countries around the world.
• At the elite level there is a World Championships every 4 years and
a Paralympic Games every 4 years.
• In Australia The National Wheelchair Rugby League consists of 6
teams.
• The West Coast Enforcers are
WA’s representative in
the league and are widely
regarded as the best young
team in Australia.
National Rugby League Teams
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West Coast Enforcers
South Australia Sharks
Victoria Thunder
New South Wales Gladiators
Queensland Crocs
New Zealand Development
League Format
• The NWRL plays in a tournament format with different states hosting
rounds of games throughout the year.
• For the first time WSWA will host a round on home soil in 2008.
• For many players it will be the first time they have played in front of
their family and friends at this level.
• WSWA is very excited to showcase Wheelchair Rugby on this stage.
• When travelling interstate the team will travel
with 7 players, head coach, mechanic and
a carer.
• All interstate travel costs are covered by
WSWA.
Who plays the game?
• All players are “quadriplegic”.
• This means having a disability that effects both upper and lower
limbs.
• Players come to the sport at various ages and from various
backgrounds.
• Each player receives a “classification”.
• The game is designed for the
inclusion of all athletes.
Classification
• Players are given a classification according to there level of function
and disability.
• Lowest classification is 0.5 points up to the highest at 3.5 points.
• A team may have a maximum 8.0 points on the floor at any one
time.
• Classification adds another
dimension to the game for
coaches.
• The game relies heavily on the
development of roles for players
and is in many ways the
“ultimate team sport”.
What is the game?
• Wheelchair Rugby is a high impact contact sport.
• It contains elements of rugby, rugby league, wheelchair basketball,
ice hockey and hand ball.
• At the highest level it is a fast paced and high scoring.
• Wheelchair rugby is a very tactical game.
Basic Rules
• The ball can be moved down the court by being
– Passed
– Rolled
– Batted
– Dribbled
– Carried
• The game is played
4 on 4.
• Players work together by “picking”
and “blocking” to move the ball
and team mates down the floor.
• Working together is the key!
Basic Rules
• Teams can be mixed with male and female competitors.
• Aim is to score goals by crossing the opponents goal line while in
possession of the ball.
• The game is played on basketball court, with special markings for
wheelchair rugby.
• The team scoring the most goals during the game time is declared
the winner.
Expectations of the Coach
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Preparation and motivation of the squad.
Game time coaching.
Development of a positive team culture.
Maintaining and upholding the standards set out by Wheelchair
Sports WA.
• Creation of a atmosphere that positively represents WSWA and
Paralympic Sports in the wider
community.
Wheelchair Sports WA
• The peak body for wheelchair sports in Western Australia.
• Provides opportunities for wheelchair athletes and coaches at both
an elite and a social level.
• Sports include
– Basketball
– Tennis
– Hand Cycling
– Rugby
– Swimming
– Track and Field
– Recreation programs
• WSWA will aid coaches by providing a pathway to work at National
level and support aspirations to reach International and Paralympic
level through exposure to high performance coaches, coaching
courses and professional development.