Australia to host Great Britain in Sunshine Coast Wheelchair Rugby Test Match
The Sunshine Coast will welcome international wheelchair rugby action this September, with the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby team set to take on the Australian Steelers in a one-off test match at 3pm on Thursday 25 September 2025 at Sunshine Coast Grammar School.
On the heels of one year since Australia and Great Britain faced off in the Bronze Medal Match at the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, this rematch will see the best of wheelchair rugby take the stage in the Sunshine Coast prior to Steelers travelling to Thailand for the 2025 Asia-Oceania Zonal Championships in November.
The one-off test match follows round 3 of the National League – the Sunshine Coast Clash – where Great Britain players will join the action and play against our domestic teams in a thrilling finale to the 2025 domestic competition. Great Britain players and Australian Steelers athletes will then extend their stay in the Sunshine Coast for a training camp which will conclude with the thrilling test match open to the public.
Entry is free and open to all, giving the local community an opportunity to experience the speed, skill and intensity of international wheelchair rugby up close.
Sunshine Coast resident and Australian Steelers captain Chris Bond says the test match will be a fierce contest between the two nations.
“We’re excited to welcome Great Britain back to Australia for this special test match. After the battle we had in Paris last year, we know this will be another high-quality contest,” he said.
“Wheelchair rugby is a sport you really need to experience live to fully understand the hits, the speed and the strategy. As a Sunshine Coast local, it’s really special to have the chance to bring an international wheelchair rugby match to my own community.”
GB Lead Coaching Consultant Adam Scaturro said: “Facing Australia is always a challenge we look forward to, and to be able to do so on the stunning Sunshine Coast is really special.”
“Fixtures like this are about more than competition – they’re about challenging and pushing ourselves as players through international exposure, while showcasing our sport and inspiring the next generation of players.”
Australia vs Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Test Match: Australian Steelers team list
| Name | Classification |
|---|---|
| Chris Bond | 3.5 |
| Brayden Foxley-Conolly | 3.5 |
| Andrew Holloway | 3.5 |
| Cooper Blackwood | 3.0 |
| Andrew Edmondson | 2.0 |
| Josh Nicholson | 2.0 |
| Jayden Jackson | 2.0 |
| Lilliana Prucha | 2.0F |
| Beau Vernon | 1.0 |
| James McQuillan | 0.5 |
| Michael Ozanne | 0.5 |
| Emilie Miller | 0.5F |
Wheelchair Rugby Australia CEO Chris Nay said the test will not only celebrate the sport but also bring a world-class event to the Sunshine Coast.
“This friendly clash provides a unique chance for fans to witness two of the world’s top wheelchair rugby nations go head-to-head once again and allows the community to see Paralympic-level athletes competing right on their doorstep,” Mr Nay said.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Queensland Government, Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Grammar School to host such a memorable occasion,” Mr Nay said.
Event details
What: Australia vs Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Test Match
When: 3pm match start on Thursday 25 September 2025
Where: Sunshine Coast Grammar School, 372 Mons Road, Forest Glen, Queensland
Tickets: Free entry
For more information and media enquiries, please contact:
Emily Newton
Manager – Media & Marketing
emily@wheelchairrugby.com.au
0481 121 440