The establishment of a new Wheelchair Rugby League competition in Canberra is a step closer with an information and skill session to be held next Saturday night (17th May).
Australia coach, Steve Hewson and NSW Wheelchair Rugby League player, Nathan Pentecost will lead the event, which will take place at the Southern Cross Club Basketball Stadium.
Chairman of Wheelchair Rugby League Australia, Laurie Lawira, said he is excited by the continual growth of the sport.
"In January, we took a demo game to Canberra and it was very well received by the public," he said.
"We want to go national, particularly where Rugby League is passionately followed and played."
Wheelchair Rugby League is an adaptation of Rugby League, where players make tackles by removing flags off opponent's shoulders.
"People who see our sport for the first time are genuinely surprised - and impressed - at how similar to Rugby League the game is," he said.
"We receive great support from the NRL and NRL clubs, which reinforces how true we are to Rugby League."
Currently, the sport is only played in Sydney, with a social competition to begin in Macarthur later this month.
"With the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup coming up in a few years’ time, we are on our mission to find or create the best players that this country has to offer - that search starts now"
Australia finished fourth in last year's World Cup.
"Wheelchair Rugby League is played internationally, and England and France are the two dominant teams."
"We have to be up there as well," Mr Lawira said.
"So we need more people playing our sport and competitions to begin around the country."
Wheelchair Rugby League is an inclusive sport that allows able-bodied athletes to participate, even at international level.
WHERE: Southern Cross Club Basketball Stadium, 22 Cowlishaw St, Greenway ACT
WHEN: Saturday 17th May, 6-8pm
WHO: Australia coach, Steve Hewson and Panthers captain, Nathan Pentecost
CONTACT: Steve Hewson 0411 233 783 or Laurie Lawira 0407 202 913
