Event summary: Wheelchair Rugby National League 2025 Sydney Slam development round

The 2025 Sydney Slam at Blacktown Leisure Centre on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May brought our regular division 1 and division 2 athletes together, providing new experiences and excitement to our emerging players.

With the Australian Steelers players focusing on their preparations for the upcoming 2025 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge coming to Adelaide at the end of this month, the Sydney Slam saw of our 4 National League teams - Box Hill, Melbourne RUFC, Sydney University and Hunter Wildfires - go head-to-head with revised team lists.

The weekend also hosted crowd-favourite modified low point games to bring a new challenge and competitive energy from our athletes. Hosted in partnership with Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT, the weekend was full of action and excitement, evidenced by the popularity of our low point games which saw additional matches worked in to the schedule to maximise the court time for players.

Note: the results of this year’s Sydney Slam development round do not impact the overall 2025 National League rankings and instead serve as a separate, stand-alone competition.

Results:

Day one

  • Sydney University 53 vs Box Hill 52

  • Melbourne RUFC 40 vs Hunter Wildfires 37

  • Sydney University 54 vs Melbourne RUFC 37

  • Box Hill 43 vs Hunter Wildfires 40

Day two

  • Sydney University 53 vs Hunter Wildfires 33

  • Box Hill 45 vs Melbourne RUFC 33

  • Third place match: Hunter Wildfires 43 vs Melbourne RUFC 40

  • First place match: Sydney University 48 vs Box Hill 40

2025 Sydney Slam Champions: Sydney University

Sydney University finished the weekend undefeated.

Awards:

  • Judy Simpson Emerging Player Award: Rhiannon Bellette

  • Best Low Pointer: Ben Fawcett

  • Best Mid Pointer: Matthew Thompson

  • Best High Pointer: Robyn Lambird

Congratulations to Sydney University for finishing the weekend undefeated, to our well-deserving award recipients, and to all teams and athletes for such a positive and fun weekend of friendly competition.

A special shout out goes to all the mothers and maternal figures that spent their Mother’s Day weekend cheering on and supporting our athletes at the Sydney Slam – including referees and score bench officials, volunteers, team support staff, and supporters in the sidelines.

We also extend thanks to our Sydney Slam and Wheelchair Rugby National League supporters that allow us to put on these kinds of events: Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT, ISPS HANDA, Officeworks, Lite n’ Easy, The Rugby Club Foundation, Charter Care Services, Sydney University, Hunter Wildfires, Box Hill and Melbourne University.

Wheelchair Rugby Australia is now exploring timing and location options for Round 3 of the National League to be hosted later in the year.

If you want to get your fill of wheelchair rugby action in the meantime, the 2025 Santos Wheelchair Rugby World Challenge is just around the corner at Netball SA Stadium in Adelaide from Thursday 29 May to Sunday 1 June 2025.

Find more information on our website and buy your tickets today.

Events, Match ReviewsEmily NewtonNational LeagueComment