2024 was a groundbreaking year for the wheelchair rugby community in Australia.

Having enjoyed the successful transition into our own fully-fledged organisation in its own right a little over 12-months ago, Wheelchair Rugby Australia is now reaping the benefit of its agile and newly formed governance structure, evidenced through some key successes which has made a significant difference to our community.

These key successes include:

• The establishment of Wheelchair Rugby Queensland as a state branch of Wheelchair Rugby Australia

• The Australian Steelers victorious in the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup in Paris

• The signing of a landmark host agreement with the South Australian Government, seeing the National Championship held in Adelaide for a three-year period

• The NSW Gladiators were victorious in Adelaide, claiming their 4th successive National Championship title

• Former Steeler Bryce Alman joined the Wheelchair Rugby Australia board

• Referee Tasmyn Haynes received her International A zonal badge

Despite these milestones, the support of our state programs, athletes, coaches, referees, officials and volunteers has been unwavering, and the key factor behind the successful year enjoyed by Wheelchair Rugby Australia. We are in a unique position, where all parties are collaborating, positive and committed to sharing knowledge and resources for an improved wheelchair rugby system and environment across Australia. We are grateful to be the leaders of this change and certainly recognise it would not be possible without the support of our state programs and all associated stakeholders.

I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the immense contributions of the following commercial partners supporting Wheelchair Rugby Australia, our athletes and competitions:

• Santos

• South Australian Government

• ISPS Handa

• Foxtel and Kayo Sports

• Degnan

• The Rugby Club Foundation

Further, I would like to acknowledge Rugby Australia, Paralympics Australia and The Australian Sports Commission for their collaboration, guidance, support and leadership across the past 12-month period.

We remain ambitious for the future of Wheelchair Rugby Australia as we look to consolidate on the work achieved across the past 12 months. Whilst the foundation is growing and much improved, the vision of more teams in domestic competition, more rounds and match play opportunities in those competitions combined with greater capacity and resourcing to accommodate this growth drives us each day to deliver improved outcomes for the sport and our community.

It is truly a privilege to be responsible for the direction of this wonderful sport, and I look forward to the improvements, growth and opportunities to come moving into 2025.

Thank you!

Chris Nay
Chief Executive Officer

The 2024 Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championship was held for the first time ever in Adelaide, South Australia from 3 - 5 May 2024.

The first of a three (3) year deal with the South Australian Government to hold the National Championship in Adelaide, the partnership signaled the significant growth of wheelchair rugby in Australia with the agreement being the first ever multi-year deal committed by a state government.

The 2024 Wheelchair Rugby National League saw six (6) franchise teams from across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria compete across three rounds: Melbourne Invitational, Brisbane Bash and Sydney Slam with the National League Champions determined by a cumulative ladder.

First the first time, the 2024 National League introduced a Division 2 competition at each round providing an opportunity for better participation and pathways through the National League. In what was an outstanding success in it’s first year, Division 2 saw a focus on game skill development, mentorship and increased court time for new, developing and veteran participants and officials.

The 2024 National League saw significant growth and development of the sport. Round 2, the 2024 Brisbane Bash, saw history made with as the largest National League round in history with nine (9) teams competing across the two divisions. Additionally, female participation surged with 10% of all participants being female.

After the first rounds of the League, both Queensland sides had secured a round win, however, in a remarkable victory at the Sydney Slam, the University of Sydney came out victorious as the cumulative winner, claiming their first National League Champions title defeating the University of Queensland in the final.

Wheelchair Rugby Australia would like to thank our National League sponsors and partners, in particular:

• National League partners: ISPS Handa and The Rugby Club Foundation

• Brisbane Bash partners: ECP, Charter Care Services and Wheelchair Vehicle Sales

Thank you for your continued support of the National League and development of wheelchair rugby across the country.

Referees

2023 / 2024 saw significant development of our national referees. Domestically, Australian referees officiated more games than any other year and have the strongest cohort supporting local, national and international competition, with the following highlights.

• Advanced Referee Clinic held in May 2024

• Education commenced for two new referees, with Natasha Karem certified as a National C Badge in Sydney in July 2024.

• Sullivan Edwards earned his National A Badge Certification and selected for two international events.

Internationally, the past 12 months has seen the largest involvement of Australian officials in the sports history with over 10 different international appointments in various roles. A summary of international appoints can be found below.

As we look to 2025, improving participation opportunities locally and growth of education for referees will be at the forefront of development and growth.

Classification

In November 2023, WRA, in collaboration with Paralympics Australia, held the first ever Australian Classification Training course in Brisbane with six (6) new trainee classifiers. After the initial training in November, four (4) of the trainees were able to attend the 2024 National Championship to complete the practical part of their education, participating in athlete assessments and observations. We look forward to the continued growth and education of our new and existing classifiers moving into 2025.

In April 2024, Australian Greg Ungerer stepped down as World Wheelchair Rugby Head of Classification after 12 years at the helm. WRA would like to congratulate Greg on his tenure and look forward to continuing to work with him domestically to support classification nationally.

WRA would like to acknowledge the continued support and leadership of Paralympics Australia in championing classification domestically and internationally. The growth and increased professionalism of our classification systems would not have been possible without their support.

Scorebench

Score bench officials continued to grow in 2023 - 2024 across the country with a focus on active recruitment and streamlined events across the country. There was a distinct focus on recruitment through connected volunteer pathways and agreements with other similar sporting codes.

The focus moving forward will be on consistent and aligned education and training opportunities around the country and the establishment of state score bench leads formally to spearhead development and growth.

International Appointments

The following highlight Australian appointed to international officials and classification roles over the past 12 months.

In October 2023, the Australian Steelers travelled to Paris for the 2023 International Wheelchair Rugby Cup (IWRC). The 2023 IWRC was delivered parallel to the 2023 Rugby World Cup and saw eight (8) of the world’s best wheelchair rugby sides compete across five days in front of sellout crowds.

After a disappointing loss in their first match to Canada, the Steelers rallied to secure victories in their remaining pool matches and semi final against Japan, to face Canada again in the Gold Medal Match. In front of a packed Accor Arena, the Steelers were crowned champions defeating Canada 53 to 48.

The victory cemented the Steelers standings moving into the 2024 Paris Qualification Tournament and 2024 Paris Paralympics.

In the final hit out before Paris, the Steelers jetted off to Canada to compete at the biannual Canada Cup. The Canada Cup saw six of the eight qualified Paralympic teams compete across five days.

In what has been a successful international run, the Steelers made their third Gold Medal Match in row in international competition coming up against Japan. The Japanese, however, were too strong with the Steelers finishing runners up heading into Paris.

 In March 2024, WRA made the strategic decision to move wheelchair rugby in Queensland under the auspices of Wheelchair Rugby Queensland (WRQ), a branch of Wheelchair Rugby Australia.

The move marked a significant step forward, with a single-sport focused wheelchair rugby organisation providing comprehensive support and opportunities for athletes through the development and growth of wheelchair rugby in the state.

Chris Nay, CEO of Wheelchair Rugby Australia, said, "Wheelchair Rugby Queensland will provide a dedicated wheelchair rugby organisation for the State. We would like to acknowledge and thank Sporting Wheelies for their investment and contribution to the sport over a number of years. We are excited to build on the sport's strong foundation and drive its growth to new heights, ensuring athletes have every opportunity to succeed."

In May 2024, former Australian Steeler, Bryce Alman was appointed to the Wheelchair Rugby Australia Board of Directors.

Bryce represented Australia at three Paralympic Games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008) and brings a wealth of experience in wheelchair rugby to the WRA Board as the organisation continues to grow and seeks to provide athletes with the best possible platform for participation and success.

Bryce said: “My competitive days are over, but my passion for wheelchair rugby remains as strong as it was when I was playing. I am looking forward to contributing off the court to the growth of the game nationally and the Australian Steeler’s future success”.

 Wheelchair Rugby QLD launched in February 2024 to provide a dedicated state body to support the growth and development of the sport in Queensland. The QLD wheelchair rugby program is the largest in the country with hubs based in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast with programs ranging from beginners to high performance.

QAS provides invaluable support to supporting the QLD program and ensure all pathways athletes are supported as they progress through wheelchair rugby locally.

As WRQ looks towards 2025 and beyond, the focus shifts to recruitment and development, looking at local partnerships, engagement strategies, best practice onboarding of new participants and classification support.

WRQ and WRA would like to acknowledge the work of Ben Newton (QLD Pathways Coach) in the continued success of the QLD wheelchair rugby program.

Thank you to Wheelchair Rugby QLD’s sponsors and partners: Suncorp, Charter Care Services, ECP, Bond University and UQ Rugby Club. More information can be found here!

Wheelchair Rugby SA has continued to strengthen, in particular with the National Championship being hosted in Adelaide in 2024.  

Recruitment and player development was at the forefront of local program in South Australia, looking to strengthen local participation. The was evident with over 10 new players coming through the local program and record SA participant numbers in both the National League and National Championship.

Looking to 2025, WRSA looks to focus of continued recruitment and participation opportunities, while also formalising delivery and best practice governance in the state.

WRSA and WRA would like to acknowledge the work of Jamie Wilson, Andy Phillips and James Coleman for their continued support and leadership of the SA wheelchair rugby program.

Thank you to Wheelchair Rugby SA’s sponsors and partners: estara, Enable Fitness, NQ Custom Signwriting and Rugby SA. More information can be found here!

For all inquiries, please contact: info@wheelchairrugby.com.au

Mailing Address
Wheelchair Rugby Australia | PO Box 1270, Queen Victoria Building, NSW 1230