The NSWRL has honoured NSW Wheelchair Rugby League players at the launch of their 2023 season after presenting them with an official number and medals for the year they made their debuts, while their names have also been immortalised on an Honour Wall in the NSWRL Centre of Excellence.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden handed out the medals to players at the launch function, including Wheelaroos captain Brad Grove, Craig Cannane, Diab Karim, Liam Luff, Cory Cannane and Richard Engles, who were all part of Australia’s World Cup squad.
“It is only right and proper that we pay tribute to our wheelchair players in the same way we honour our men’s and women’s Origin players,” Trodden said.
“The wheelchair competition is another huge growth area within Rugby League because it’s such a high-energy and skilful game.
“It also aligns with Rugby League being the game for all as it can be played by both able-bodied and wheelchair athletes.
"We talk a lot about Inheritance here at NSW Rugby League and the players here tonight are an important part of that legacy for the wheelchair game.
“I congratulate all the players who are being recognised tonight and wish them all the best for the season ahead.”
The medals contain the NSW Wheelchair logo, the player's name, their state number and year of their debut.
The Honour Wall with the names and numbers of players recorded chronologically is on Level One of the NSWRL headquarters, adjacent to the Dr George Peponis OAM room.
NSW Wheelchair Rugby League Chairman Edie George said it was wonderful to acknowledge the players, who had represented their state and he was looking forward to the 2023 season.
“It’s exciting to be back holding our season launch face to face and what better way to hold it than at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence,” George said.
“We’re really looking forward to the upcoming season on the back of the success of the Wheelaroos at the World Cup and we've seen a rise in new participants registering for 2023.”
The NSW Wheelchair Rugby League season will start on Sunday 19 March and will involve three teams in the NSW Cup (top tier), and four teams in the NSW Plate (second tier). The Parramatta Eels are the reigning premiers in the NSW Cup, while Penrith took out the NSW Plate.
The launch also coincided with the NSWRL’s month-long celebration of inclusion, which will culminate in an Inclusion Gala Day on Saturday 25 March at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence and will include representatives from the NSW Wheelchair Rugby League.
It also reflects the NSWRL’s all abilities pillar to create a safe and inclusive environment for people with a disability and their families in all areas and levels of the game.
NSW WHEELCHAIR RUGBY LEAGUE HONOUR BOARD (number, name, debut year)
1. Jason Attard (2015)
2. Daniel Begman (2015)
3. Craig Cannane (2015)
4. Fabian Castillo (2015)
5. Brad Grove (2015)
6. Nathan Pentecost (2015)
7. Craig Piggott (2015)
8. Stephan Rochecouste (2015)
9. Yarra Ryan (2015)
10. Mitchell Stone (2015)
11. Cory Cannane (2016)
12. William Derederenalagi (2016)
13. Brett Henman (2016)
14. Diab Karim (2016)
15. Cherie Moulang (2016)
16. Trinity Castillo (2017)
17. Mohammad Chemaissen (2017)
18. Amro Ibraham (2017)
19. Michael Johnson (2017)
20. Louis Richards (2017)
21. Jarrod Serwa (2017)
22. Edie George (2017)
23. Edge Iole (2018)
24. Liam Luff (2018)
25. Richard Engles (2019)
26. Tim Robinson (2019)
27. Eddie Morgan (2021)
28. Christopher O’Brien (2022)
29. Toby Popple (2022)
