WHO CAN PLAY WHEELCHAIR RUGBY?

What is Classification?

Classification is a unique and integral part of sport for persons with disabilities. The purpose of classification is to ensure fair and equitable competition at all levels of sport and to allow athletes to compete at the highest level, regardless of individual differences in physical function.

Every wheelchair rugby player is classified based on their disability and impairment type and undergo the classification process to determine their Sport Class. Each player is given a points value after these tests which will range from 0.5 (lowest) to 3.5 (highest). The four players on court for a wheelchair rugby team must not exceed a total of 8 points. An exception to this total is made for each female athlete playing on court. Each team is permitted an additional 0.5 points for each female on court. 

What is the classification process?

The Wheelchair Rugby Classification process in is based on IPC Athlete Classification Code and International Standards and consists of four steps:

  1. Determine underlying health condition leading to possible eligible impairment and confirm eligible impairment/s as outlined in the IPC Athlete Classification Code.

  2. Determine whether Athletes meet minimum impairment criteria (MIC) of at least one eligible impairment.

  3. Allocation of Sport Class – a three step process that consists of:

  4. Severity of impairment, referred to as physical assessment or “bench test”

  5. Sport specific activity limitations established through standardized and novel motor tests, referred to as Technical Assessment or “sport specific activities”. 

  6. Observation Assessment – confirmation of classification process decision-making and allocation of sport class and sport class status, referred to as Observation during Competition.

What are the eligible impairments for wheelchair rugby?

To be eligible to play Wheelchair Rugby, individuals must have a disability which affects the arms and legs. Most players have spinal cord injuries with full or partial paralysis of the legs and partial paralysis of the arms. Other disability groups who play include cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, amputations, polio, and other neurological conditions. Men and women compete on the same teams and in the same competitions. As per the Wheelchair Rugby Australia Classification Rules and Policies, the following are eligible impairment types:

  • Impaired Muscle Power: Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a Health Condition that either reduces or eliminates their ability to voluntarily contract their muscles in order to move or to generate force.

  • Limb Deficiency: Athletes with Limb Deficiency have total or partial absence of bones or joints as a consequence of trauma or present at birth.

  • Hypertonia: Athletes with hypertonia have an increase in muscle tension and a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch caused by damage to the central nervous system.

  • Ataxia: Athletes with Ataxia have uncoordinated movements caused by damage to the central nervous system.

  • Athetosis: Athletes with Athetosis have continual slow involuntary movements.

  • Impaired Passive Range of Movement: Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a restriction or a lack of passive movement in one or more joints.

How do I get classified?

If you wish to get classified in Australia, please complete the form below and WRA will be in touch with next steps in the process.

Classification Rules and Policies

In 2022, Wheelchair Rugby Australia updated it’s Classification Policies and Rules to better align with the Paralympics Australia, World Wheelchair Rugby and International Paralympic Committee Standards and to provide Australian wheelchair rugby players with the most best-practice and straightforward classification system and processes.

WRA Classification Masterlist

The Wheelchair Rugby Australia Classification Masterlist is currently being updated as per the updated Classification Policies and Rules. The updated Masterlist will be published in June 2023.

In the meantime, please refer the World Wheelchair Rugby Classification Masterlist for International Classifications. Click here to see the WWR classification master list.

Explanation of the Wheelchair Rugby Sport Classes

Class 0.5
Typical role on court Main role is as blocker, not a major ball handler
Chair skills/function
  • Because of extensive proximal shoulder weakness and lack of triceps function forward head bob present when pushing

  • Because of lack of triceps, pulls on back part of the wheel for push stroke using biceps by bending elbows; elbows are also out to side when pushing (called an “unopposed biceps push”)

  • Because of wrist extensor weakness and lack of other wrist and hand function, may use forearm on wheel for starts, turns and stops
Ball skills/function
  • Because of proximal shoulder weakness, arm and wrist weakness, traps direct passes on lap or bats it in from limited range

  • Bats ball using “underhand volleyball pass” for longer range pass or for shorter range pass uses “scoop pass” with the ball forward to the side uses a two-hand toss

Class 1.0
Typical role on court Blocker, may in-bound ball, not a major ball handler
Chair skills/function
  • Because of proximal shoulder weakness and triceps weakness, may have slight head bob when pushing, but has a longer push on wheel (combination of push and pull on back part of wheel)

  • Because of increased strength in upper chest and shoulders, multidirectional start, stop and turn (Can turn in all directions without stopping; easier and faster turning than 0.5 athlete; but because of triceps and wrist weakness, 1.0 athlete may still use forearm)
Ball skills/function
  • Forearm or wrist catch

  • Weak chest pass or forearm pass

Class 1.5
Typical role on court Excellent blocker and also may be occasional ball handler
Chair skills/function Increased shoulder strength and stability allows for more effective and efficient pushing ball handling skills
Ball skills/function
  • Increased shoulder strength and stability allows for some distance and consistency to chest pass

  • Typically has wrist imbalance that causes limited ball security when passing

  • May have asymmetry present in arms. If so, predominantly uses the stronger arm for chair and ball skills

Class 2.0
Typical role on court Increasing role on court as ball handler
Chair skills/function Typically has very strong and stable shoulder that allows for good pushing speed on court
Ball skills/function
  • Effective chest pass with control over moderate distance

  • Because of lack of finger flexion, there is limited ball security against defense during passing

  • Can hold the ball with wrists firmly, but does not have hand function

Class 2.5
Typical role on court Ball handler and fairly fast playmaker
Chair skills/function
  • Because of excellent shoulder strength and stability will see good pushing speed on court

  • Functional grip is used to advantage on the pushrim when challenged

  • May have some trunk control giving better stability in the chair
Ball skills/function
  • Reasonably balanced finger flexion and extension without true grasp and release

  • Dribbles the ball safely, but supinates forearm to scoop the ball onto the lap

  • Due to finger flexion strength capable of performing one-handed overhead pass, but limited accuracy and distance because of imbalance in finger strength

  • Safe two handed catching of passes, usually scooping ball to lap. May catch passes single handed and scoop to lap or chest

  • Improved ball security compared to 2.0 hand due to improved ability to isolate wrist/finger function

  • May have asymmetrical arm or hand function, noticeable with chair and ball handling skills

Class 3.0
Typical role on court Very good ball handler and fast playmaker
Chair skills/function
  • Because of balanced finger function, athlete can grip wheelchair rim increasing pushing speed

  • May have some trunk control giving better stability in the chair
Ball skills/function
  • Because of function in fingers, can control ball in varying planes of movement for passing, dribbling, catching and protecting ball during these activities

  • Can dribble and pass ball well with one hand

  • Multiple dribble one handed with control

  • Stabilizes with the opposite arm to allow greater reach (if the athlete has no trunk function)

Class 3.5
Typical role on court Major ball handler and very fast playmaker. Often primary ball handler and playmaker on team
Chair skills/function Has some trunk function, therefore very stable in wheelchair and able to use trunk for ball and chair skills
Ball skills/function
  • Because of combination of hand and trunk function, usually has excellent ball control with controlled one hand passing for distance and excellent ball security during passing and receiving

  • May have asymmetrical arm or hand function, noticeable with chair and ball handling skills

Classification Contact

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about classification, please contact Kelsey Singh at classification@wheelchairrugby.com.au.

Classifiers

Classifiers are sports officials with a medical or sport science background who have completed the required training and certification. They assess athletes to determine their eligibility for Para-sport competition and provide them with a sport class and sport class status at the conclusion of the assessment.

It is essential for a classifier to understand wheelchair rugby or have a strong desire to learn about the sport.

If you are interested in becoming a wheelchair rugby classifier, please complete the following form:

Classification Resources and further reading