Gold Coast to host 2020 Wheelchair Rugby National Championship

Wheelchair Rugby Australia (WRA) has announced the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre as the host venue of the 2020 GIO Wheelchair Rugby National Championship in May.

Having been staged in Sydney for the past eight years, the move to the Gold Coast provides a rare chance for Queensland wheelchair rugby fans to witness elite level competition live, without having to travel to support their team.

Wheelchair Rugby Australia’s General Manager, Chris Nay said: “There were a number of forces behind the scenes which helped bring about this change and I am thrilled we were able to make it a reality.”

“Moving the event to the Gold Coast is a deserved reward for the Queensland wheelchair rugby program, who have always been great contributors to the sport and the event in general. The facility is world class and was built in 2017 in preparation for the Commonwealth Games, it would be great to see the people of the Gold Coast turn out in good numbers across the weekend to support what will no doubt again be a fantastic competition.” Mr Nay continued.

Queensland players Ryan Boyd (left) and Luke Matthews at the Gold Coast Sport & Leisure Centre announcing the National Championship’s move to the Gold Coast.Photo Credit: Jerad Williams — Queensland players Ryan Boyd (left) and Luke Matthews at the Gold Coast Sport & Leisure Centre announcing the National Championship’s move to the Gold Coast.
Photo Credit: Jerad Williams

The 2019 National Championship in Sydney was the most competitive on record, and with the Paralympic Games in Tokyo just around the corner fans are sure to see another championship of outstanding quality as players look to stake their claim for Australian team selection.

This host venue announcement comes shortly after Wheelchair Rugby Australia reinstated the National League, which will play three (3) competitive rounds in 2020 throughout April and May. The League rounds will be used as a state team selection platform as teams prepare their squads to contest the National Championship at the end of May.