I am honoured to present the Chair's message for the inaugural Annual Report of Wheelchair Rugby Australia (WRA).
This report highlights our accomplishments, challenges and progress we have made since achieving recognition in May 2023 from the Australian Sports Commission as a National Sporting Organisation (NSO).
Wheelchair Rugby Australia achieved a significant milestone by being officially recognised as a National Sporting Organisation. This recognition reflects our commitment to the development and promotion of wheelchair rugby in Australia and signifies a new era of growth and opportunities for our sport and organisation.
Our vision is to become a world-leading sporting organisation that fosters inclusivity, excellence and sustainability. Our mission is to promote and develop wheelchair rugby in Australia by providing opportunities for participation, excellence and advocacy.
Key Achievements
Recognition as a National Sporting Organisation: Achieving NSO status has been a monumental accomplishment for WRA. It paves the way for increased funding, support and visibility, enabling us to better serve our athletes and the sport as a whole.
National Competitions: WRA successfully organised and conducted Wheelchair Rugby National League and National Championship, providing athletes with the opportunity to compete and showcase their talents.
Development: We have initiated development programs aimed at introducing wheelchair rugby to a new generation of athletes and providing opportunities for athletes seeking to achieve at the top level - including assisting athletes to compete in the National Leage and National Championship. These programs have seen increased participation and are integral to our long-term growth strategy.
Partnerships: We have forged valuable partnerships with corporate sponsors, government and state / territory organisations. These partnerships have enabled us to secure resources, increase awareness and promote the inclusivity of our sport.
Challenges
Funding and Sustainability: While NSO status brings increased funding opportunities, WRA continues to work on financial sustainability to ensure the long-term success of our organisation.
Inclusivity: WRA is committed to continually seek to address accessibility and diversity issues within the sport.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, WRA is determined to build on our achievements and overcome the challenges that lie ahead. Our priorities include:
High Performance Development: Working with Paralympics Australia to invest in the development of elite athletes and coaches to compete on the international stage.
Engagement: Introduce wheelchair rugby to a broader audience through variations of the sport and to create participation opportunities for people with disabilities.
Governance and Transparency: Continuing to enhance our governance structures and ensuring transparency in all our activities.
Sustainability: Developing a robust financial strategy to ensure the long-term sustainability of WRA.
I would like to express my gratitude to our dedicated athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters who have been instrumental in our journey. Your passion and commitment are the driving forces behind our success.
I also want to thank the WRA Board for their unwavering support and dedication to the growth of wheelchair rugby in Australia. A particular thank you to WRA’s inaugural CEO, Chris Nay, and GM Operations, Kelsey Singh – and outstanding and incredible team who have ensured a positive start for WRA as a new NSO and that the organisation is always moving forward.
Wheelchair Rugby Australia is poised for a bright future and I am excited to see the continued growth and success of our sport. Together, we will make a lasting impact on the lives of people with a disability, their families, friends and the broader community.
Steve Loader
Chair, Wheelchair Rugby Australia
2023 was certainly a groundbreaking year for the wheelchair rugby community in Australia.
Having separated from Disability Sports Australia (DSA) in August of 2022, Wheelchair Rugby Australia was created as its own organisation, designed to provide an independent, sport-focussed approach to wheelchair rugby that drives participation, alignment and greater opportunities for our community.
The launch of an independent body to guide our sport was a daring, yet necessary step if we were to provide our community an improved and dedicated governance model to support the growth of the domestic game, and I would like to thank DSA for their support and commitment to this separation.
Pleasingly, since this transition, Wheelchair Rugby Australia has achieved some key milestones for the sport this year, of which some are outlined below:
Became a recognised NSO with the Australian Sports Commission
Delivered improvements to both our leading domestic competitions (The Wheelchair Rugby National League and the Wheelchair Rugby National Championship)
Secured a new home for our National Championship, through a leading partnership agreement with the South Australian Government for the next three years
Provided international opportunities to talent identified domestic referees to gain further accreditation
Developed an updated referee policy, providing increased support and remuneration to our officials at domestic events
Signed additional commercial partners to join our growing and engaged supporter base for wheelchair rugby across Australia
Broadcast the Wheelchair Rugby National Championship with our partners Foxtel & Kayo Sports for the third year
Throughout all of this change, the support of our state programs, athletes, coaches, referees, officials and volunteers has been unwavering, and the key factor behind the successful year enjoyed by Wheelchair Rugby Australia. We are in a unique position, where all parties are collaborating, positive and committed to sharing knowledge and resources for an improved wheelchair rugby system and environment across Australia. We are grateful to be the leaders of this change and certainly recognise it would not be possible without the support of our state programs and all associated stakeholders.
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the immense contributions of the following commercial partners supporting Wheelchair Rugby Australia, our athletes and competitions:
Santos
South Australian Government
ISPS Handa
Foxtel and Kayo Sports
Degnan
The Rugby Club Foundation
Further, I would like to acknowledge Rugby Australia, Paralympics Australia and The Australian Sports Commission for their collaboration, guidance, support and leadership across the past 12-month period.
We remain ambitious for the future of Wheelchair Rugby Australia as we look to consolidate on the work achieved across the past 12 months. Whilst the foundation is growing and much improved, the vision of more teams in domestic competition, more rounds and match play opportunities in those competitions combined with greater capacity and resourcing to accommodate this growth drives us each day to deliver improved outcomes for the sport and our community.
It is an exciting time for wheelchair rugby in Australia. The Australian Steeler’s head into the Paralympic year as winners of the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship and the 2023 International Wheelchair Rugby Cup, and, The Wheelchair Rugby National Championship heads to South Australia in partnership with the South Australian Government. These two elements alone ensure 2024 is poised to be another big year for Australian wheelchair rugby.
It is truly a privilege to be responsible for the direction of this wonderful sport, and I look forward to the improvements, growth and opportunities to come moving into 2024.
Thank you!
Chris Nay
CEO, Wheelchair Rugby Australia
Sport has a place for everyone and delivers results that make Australia proud.
As we progress through this defining era in Australian sport, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is clear in our vision to lead and support the sector.
Our role is to provide opportunities for all communities to be involved in sport, while growing elite success and representation, inspiring future generations.
As the Australian Government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sport at all levels, we strive to increase involvement in sport and enable continued international sporting success.
We do this through leadership and development of a cohesive and effective sports sector, targeted financial support and the operation of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
We play a unique role in the sport ecosystem and tackle the big challenges and opportunities with and for the sector.
We’re proud to do so and through our vision, we aim to bring out the best in everyone involved in sport as we establish Australia as the world’s best sporting nation.
Collectively, we’ve already made huge strides to set Australian sport up for success.
Australia’s High Performance 2032+ Sport Strategy is an industry-wide approach to harness our collective strengths, talent and resources.
The strategy has a strong focus on Winning Well – balancing success and wellbeing and acknowledging that how we win is just as important as when we win.
Working hand in hand with this is the codesigned National Sport Participation Strategy which will transform the way participation is connected, delivered and supported in Australia.
The strategy will be the first of its kind in Australia and I’m looking forward to seeing the positive impact it has on the sector.
The sporting strategies, programs and facilities we deliver now have the capacity to shape Australia’s long-term prosperity, well beyond sporting boundaries.
This is a defining era for Australian sport. We are well into the Green and Gold decade to Brisbane 2032, and we are focused on building sustainable success for decades to come.
Meanwhile, it has been wonderful to see continued demand from sports to use the AIS facilities in Canberra to prepare for major events, at home and abroad.
As the national home of sport, we are proud of the role we play in supporting athletes, coaches and high performance staff to reach their potential and I look forward to seeing many of our athletes shine at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
On behalf of the ASC, thank you to everyone who contributes to the sector as we work collectively to ensure every Australian sees a place for themselves in sport.
Josephine Sukkar AM
Chair, Australian Sports Commission
WRA becomes independent organisation
In August 2022, WRA becomes an independent organisation responsible solely for the growth and development of wheelchair rugby in Australia.
WRA becomes NSO
Wheelchair Rugby Australia officially becomes an NSO on 1 July 2023.
Record Attendance at National Championship
With a growing schools program and dedicated digital marketing campaign, the Nationals saw record attendance across the three days of competition.
New Look National League Launches
WRA launches new look National League with six franchise club teams across three rounds.
Referee Review & restructure
WRA reviewed and overhauled referee structure and management across the country to streamline development, remuneration and opportunities.
Steelers crowned world Champions
Australian Steelers crowned 2022 World Champions in Denmark.
The 2023 Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championship was held in the Gold Coast from 2 - 4 June 2023.
The NSW Gladiators achieved the impossible, winning their third straight National Championship title in an exhilarating overtime match against the Victoria Protect Thunder in the Gold Medal Final. In division two, The South Australian Sharks celebrated their first gold medal, defeating the West Coast Enforcers in the final, a reflection of the positive growth the South Australian’s have seen in their program in recent years.
The 2023 Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championship was a wonderful domestic showcase of the sport, with a vocal crowd in attendance to witness the crowning of the new national champions. It was however the contribution of broadcast partners Fox Sports and Kayo Sports that defined the success of the event, with the sport broadcast into homes and venues across the country both on Kayo’s streaming platform and Fox Sports channel 507 across all three days of competition.
Wheelchair Rugby Australia appreciates the contribution of all sponsors, in particular Naming Rights sponsor Santos, and recognises the monumental efforts of athletes, programs, officials, team staff, volunteers and event staff to help deliver what many perceive to be the best National Championships on record.
Photo credit to Stephen Tremain
The new look National League launched with six franchise rugby teams across three states. The six teams competed in three events: Melbourne Invitational, Sydney Slam and Brisbane Bash, in a cumulative ladder to determine the National League champions.
The new National League format delivers a crucial competition pathway for both new and existing athletes to engage in quality interstate competition consistently which also developing new officials and coaches.
The University of Queensland Red Heavies were crowned back-to-back champions of the Wheelchair Rugby National League in Sydney, despite the efforts of hometown rival Bond University who staged a grandstand finish, falling just short of claiming their maiden league crown.
2023 Wheelchair Rugby National League - All Star Four
Best Low-Point Player: Jake Howe, Box Hill
Best Mid-Point Player: Andrew Edmondson, Sydney University
Best High-Point Player: Brayden Foxley – Conolly, Bond University
2023 Wheelchair Rugby National League MVP: Jayden Warn, Melbourne Unicorns
Special thanks to ISPS Handa and the Rugby Club Foundation for their continued support of the National League.
On May 2023, Wheelchair Rugby Australia became officially recognised as a National Sporting Organisation by the Australian Sports Commission for the sport of Wheelchair Rugby.
This was a historic decision that cemented that for the first time, wheelchair rugby would have a standalone, independent, dedicated body delivering the sport across the nation.
WRA look forward to working with the Australian Sports Commission to provide more opportunities and support to all participants in wheelchair rugby in Australia.
The Australian Steelers were crowned the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby World Champions, defeating the USA in a nail-biting gold medal final the World Championship in Vejle, Denmark in October 2018.
The result was a return to form for the Australian Steelers on the international stage and exemplified the improvements made to pathways and participations efforts at home.
Congratulations to the Australian Steelers and Paralympics Australia for achievement.
in December 2022, three Australian athletes, Shae Graham, Ella Sabljak and Rubie Gallagher, attended the 2022 Wheelchair Rugby Women’s Cup. Despite not having the numbers to field an Australian team, the three Aussies joined a combined team to compete at the new annual event. In what was a raging success, the event has begun the drive domestically to develop Australia’s first womens wheelchair rugby team to compete at the Womens Cup annually.
In 2024, WRA looks forward to developing the national womens program with the aim of sending the first Australian Womens team to the Womens Cup in December 2024 in Paris.
Wheelchair Rugby Australia would like to thank all our sponsors and partners for their continuing support of wheelchair rugby across the country.
In September 2023, WRA appointed it’s inaugural Board of Directors to lead WRA through it’s initial stages of inception and strategic planning.
Steve Loader
Chair
John Hart
Director
Lisa Ronson
Director
Tim Walsh
Director
Hannah Lidster
Director
Nathalie Mann
Director
For all inquiries, please contact: info@wheelchairrugby.com.au
Mailing Address
Wheelchair Rugby Australia | PO Box 1270, Queen Victoria Building, NSW 1230