Salford Red Devils Foundation Rugby League wheelchair team have been promoted to the Championship West division a year after their first home game.
The team have been progressing as they welcome more members to their fully inclusive sport.
The wheelchair rugby team were established in 2022 following the Salford Red Devils Foundation’s receipt of funding from the Rugby World Cup 2021 capital grants programme and the National Lottery.
The sport is two 40 minute halves in a five versus five style with two non-disabled and three disabled, with tags on the shoulders and is one of the few sports where both men and women can compete on the same team.
Four players from each team may be on the court at any time, but the squad have been growing in numbers hoping that will continue following their promotion.
Head coach Dave Abel said: “It was a year ago today we had our first home game, so to be able to progress over the year to Championship West is a huge deal.”
Not only has the team been flourishing, but the league itself is also growing with inclusivity at the heart of it.
Dave continued: “Anybody can partake, we’re a fully inclusive sport, so anybody with any experience is welcome, young or old. We cater for all disabilities, all ages, any sexuality.
“We’ve got a number of females and a number of juniors coming through as well as males and transgender people.
“Just progressing everybody’s skills and getting through the borough it’ll be a great deal for us and progressing into having many teams will be something to look forward to.”
New teams are popping up all over the region.
Dave added: “I think everybody’s at that sort of stage where they want to be competing, so I think everybody’s in with a shout of some good performances this year.”
Salford Red Devils Wheelchair Rugby club and players are looking for sponsorships for the upcoming season which the foundation will be pushing out in the coming weeks.
Anyone looking to get involved in the club can join in training sessions on Tuesday evenings at Eccles Six Form College from 6pm to 8pm – with additional sessions being hosted on Sundays from 11am till 1pm.
Additional information for the wheelchair rugby club can be found here.
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