Junior Wheelchair
Rugby
Junior Wheelchair Rugby Program
Following the success of our world-leading Junior Wheelchair Rugby Program in 2023, we are thrilled to be launching two seasons for 2024! Thanks to the support of Protect and Victorian State Government, this year's program will take place at Deakin University in Burwood, consisting of come and try days, weekly training sessions and end-of-season showcase matches.
Season One commences on Saturday 20th April 2024, so get your friends together and register now to secure your spot!
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Wheelchair Rugby Victoria (WRV), which is operated by Disability Sport and Recreation (DSR) has committed to expanding the successful senior wheelchair rugby program by developing a Junior Wheelchair Rugby Program. This provides a direct pathway for young players to learn from experienced athletes and coaches, developing their skills in a supportive environment. Wheelchair rugby is an intense, contact team sport that features mixed genders. Despite its intensity, wheelchair rugby is a family-friendly, accessible sport with a true sense of community.
Program Overview
The Junior Wheelchair Rugby Program features fun, introductory skills sessions, facilitated by our Victorian Wheelchair Rugby Head Coach and Australian Paralympian, Andrew Harrison. Sports chairs will be provided at each session and participants will have the opportunity to learn from Victorian senior wheelchair rugby players, and potentially even current Australian Paralympic athletes!
The inaugural 2023 program featured two come and try events at Narrandjeri Stadium in Thornbury, followed by an eight-week training program at Royal Talbot Indoor Stadium. The final training session was hosted by Paralympics Australia at the Hangar, where our juniors had the opportunity to train and interact with Australian Steelers players such as Ryley Batt and Chris Bond during their week-long training camp.
The players then took part in a Junior Showcase Match prior to the Senior Grand Final on Saturday 23rd September, which also featured three players from the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby team.
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[Image ID: There are four junior players in wheelchairs, moving in the same direction up the court. One player has
placed the ball on his lap while pushing the chair. They are smiling and wearing white and blue t-shirts with both
the Wheelchair Rugby Victoria and Disability Sport & Recreation logos. There is a spectator standing in the
background near a Protect pull-up banner. The game is taking place on a light coloured wooden floor.]
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[Image ID: One of the junior players has the ball on his lap and is surrounded by two other junior players and a
senior Melbourne Rebels player. The juniors are wearing white t-shirts that say Victorian Junior Wheelchair Rugby
Program on the back. There are spectators smiling and watching in the background, and the game is being played
on a light coloured wooden floor.]
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The program is open to all abilities, aged 6 to 14, so we encourage you to get some friends together and come along to experience the excitement of wheelchair rugby!
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Proudly Supported By
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