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Get Started in wheelchair rugby today!

We are always looking for new people to jump in a chair and try out wheelchair rugby.

Whether you are someone looking to get involved with sport for the first time or a former athletes looking to re-engage, there’s a pathway for you to get involved at every level of the game.

What is wheelchair rugby?

Wheelchair rugby is a fast-paced, mixed gender sport that is open to participants of all ages with an impairment to their upper and lower limbs.

It is the only full contact sport on wheels and combines elements of a number of popular sports, including rugby, basketball, gridiron and handball.

Players compete in teams of four on a basketball or netball court to get the ball across the try line, marked between 2 goal cones. Matches are usually played in eight-minute quarters and each team have 40 seconds to score a try once they have possession of the ball.

In order to play competitively, all participants are required to have a sport class obtained through a process called classification. Through classification, each athlete will receive a sport class from 0.5 to 3.5 (going up in 0.5 increments) with 0.5 athletes having greater impairment and 3.5 having the most function. Teams can only play a total of 8.0 points on court with their four athletes. An exception to this is made for female athletes, who are permitted additional points while on court.

Read some of our FAQs below about how to get involved and start playing wheelchair rugby today.

Learn More

National Participation Plan

In line with the Australian Sports Commission’s Play Well — Australia’s Sport Participation Strategy, Wheelchair Rugby Australia is re-imagining the participation landscape to ensure more Australians with a disability are able to play and belong.

The Wheelchair Rugby Australia National Participation Plan aims to address the current participation trends and opportunities in order to create a wheelchair rugby participation environment that’s agile and adaptive, where every person finds their place in sport and every idea pushes the game forward.

This Plan, finalised in June 2026, was developed in collaboration and consultation with the Australian wheelchair rugby community, including state coaches, participation leads, officials, key volunteers and the Australian Sports Commission.

Getting started? Your questions answered!

  • Wheelchair rugby is played in most major cities around Australia. Get in touch with your state contact or WRA directly to find your local program.

    If wheelchair rugby isn't available in your local area, we will aim to connect you with the closest program.

    State programs

  • No experience is required to start playing wheelchair rugby. Each program across the country caters to all different ability and skill levels.

    When you join a wheelchair rugby program, coaches and support staff will help you understand the rules, equipment and game play.

  • Fantastic! There are a number of competitions available for every skill and ability level across the country.

    For most participants, the pathway to competing in wheelchair rugby follows the below:

    • Participation in trainings locally

    • Competing at a local / state social competition

    • Participation in Division 2 of the National League and National Championship

    • Selection for Division 1 of the National League and National Championship

    • Participation in the Australian Development Program

    • International selection

    More Pathway Information

    It is important to note that to compete in National competition, you will be required to undergo classification and receive a sport class. More info about this can be found below.

  • Athletes compete in manual wheelchairs which a made specifically for wheelchair rugby.

    If this is your first time playing wheelchair rugby, you will be introduced to the wheelchair rugby chair at your first session and be able to test one out. You will also learn about the other equipment needed to play, like strapping and gloves.

    The only other equipment needed to play wheelchair rugby is a basketball or netball court, four cones and a lightweight volleyball!

  • 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 requires a classification and will undergo the classification process to determine their Sport Class. The process will be explained to you at your first session!

    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.

    More classification information

  • World Wheelchair Rugby international rules grant an additional 0.5 point for every female low-point player on court (i.e. female athletes classified as 0.5-1.5), and an additional 1.0 point for every female high-point player on court (i.e. female athletes classified as 2.0 and above). For example, this means a team with a 3.5 classified female athlete on court can play with a total of 9.0 points on court with their four athletes, and a team with a 1.0 classified female athlete and a 2.5 classified female athlete on court at the same time can play a total of 9.5 points on court.

  • Your best contact is your state lead below or if you're not sure where you want to play, you can contact the team at WRA.

    Email Us

State Programs

Ready to get started in wheelchair rugby? Find your local state hub program and get in touch to discover how you can get involved.

If you are from Northern Territory or would like further information you can’t find above, please reach out.