Squad Announcements | Wheelchair Rugby National League
Australian Steelers Chris Bond, Robyn Lambird and Shae Graham face off in the National League. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Australia’s premier domestic wheelchair rugby competition, the Wheelchair Rugby National League is set to light up the east coast once more with the competition slated to be the most competitive on record. Six (6) teams will line-up across the three-round competition, with the winner being announced at the completion of the third round, the 2025 champions to be the team with the highest accumulative total across all three events.
Queensland powerhouses University of Queensland (UQ) and Bond University (Bond Uni) will be joined by Sydney University (Sydney Uni) and the Rolling Wildfires from New South Wales, whilst Melbourne RUFC and Box Hill Unicorns round out the field representing Victoria. In a significant boost for the competition’s depth and playing standard, a partnership with New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby will see six New Zealand Wheel Blacks players drafted into teams in the top draw of the competition, along with the best West Australian and South Australian talent.
Australian Steelers Ella Sabljak (Bond University) and Josh Nicholson (University of QLD) clash. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Melbourne RUFC and Hunter Wildfires shake hands post match. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
The real growth however is seen across division 2 of the competition, with a record-breaking four teams filled with developing, emerging and experienced talent set to participate in the first round of play in Melbourne at the end of the month. Supported by a grant from The Rugby Club Foundation, the competition format will be amended to ensure maximum game time, exposure and opportunity across match-play in order to foster the best environment for players to experience the game whilst also being able to learn from the high-level strategy and competition offered in the competition’s top draw.
For context, 5-6 players were available for this division in 2024, compared to the confirmed 25 that will roll onto court in Melbourne this year, a great sign for wheelchair rugby’s new and emerging player pathway.
SQUAD LISTS
DIVISION ONE |
University of Queensland (QLD)
Squad: Chris Bond (C), Josh Hose, Josh Nicholson, Cam Whittaker, Matt Thompson, Dan Horton, Dan Clarke, Damien Mortaud, Ryan Boyd, Beau Vernon
Staff: Chris Bond (Coach), Nat Charlton (Manager), Blair Thompson (Mechanic)
Colours: Maroon
2024 Finish: 2nd
Bond University (QLD)
Squad: Brayden Foxley-Conolly, Ben Newton, Conor Tweedy, Lilliana Prucha, Tai Martin-Page, Mick Ozanne, Emilie Miller
Staff: Ben Newton (Coach), Emilie Gollan (Manager), Blair Thompson (Mechanic)
Colours: Blue and Gold
2024 Finish: 3rd
Rolling Wildfires (NSW)
Squad: Cooper Blackwood, Cam Leslie, Dylan Streller, Rob Hewitt, Richard Voris (C), Ash Treseder, Peter Campbell-Rogers, Ben Fawcett
Staff: Richard Voris (Coach), Zac Field (Manager), Michael Voris (Mechanic)
Colours: Blue, White and Red
2024 Finish: 6th
University of Sydney (NSW)
Squad: Andrew Holloway, Josh Hanlon, Andrew Edmondson, Jayden Jackson, Dylan Streller, Ben Leaudais, Kadir Faki, James McQuillan, Tye Angland
Staff: Lewis Quinn (Coach), Zac Field (Manager), Courtney Younan (Mechanic)
Colours: Blue and Gold
2024 Finish: 1st
Melbourne RUFC (VIC)
Squad: Jayden Warn, Hayden Barton-Cootes, Jason Ellery, Andrew Harrison, Jake Howe, Will Taheny
Staff: Andrew Harrison (Coach), Willeke Walsh (Manager), Lily Pridham (Mechanic)
Colours: Green and Gold
2024 Finish: 5th
Box Hill RUFC (VIC)
Squad: Jacinta Richardson, Robyn Lambird, Keenan Alexander, Shae Graham, Antonio Vecchio, Maia Marshall
Staff: Jason Lees (Coach), Willeke Walsh (Manager), Lily Pridham (Mechanic)
Colours: Navy
2024 Finish: 4th
DIVISION TWO |
Player’s nominated for division 2 will be placed in teams at each round, with a record 4 teams and 25 players set to participate in Melbourne later this month.
Zak Robertson and Shane Brand compete for the SA Sharks in Division 2. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Brydee Moore defending in Division 2. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
What’s Being Said |
Sam Fox: General Manager – Pathways and Talent
“We're thrilled to kick off our Wheelchair Rugby domestic season with the 2025 Melbourne Invitational Round at Caroline Springs. We’re expecting an incredibly competitive Division 1, featuring some of Australia and New Zealand's top athletes, alongside our up-and-coming players who are taking the next step in their development. We’re also excited to see increased participation in Division 2. Division 2 was designed to provide a welcoming entry point for new players, allowing them to play, explore, compete, and experience the spirit of our sport in a fun and safe environment with others at a similar skill level. It’s been a journey to get here—last year, we had just 5-6 players in Division 2, but this year we have over 25, which is a great indication of growth in our pathway, particularly with the rise in female and youth participation. We hope this is just the beginning of long and successful careers for many of these new players.”
Dr Cherie Harris: Executive Chair – New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby
“Wheelchair Rugby Australia has provided an inclusionary platform for sustainability, growth and development of two nations in wheelchair rugby. Adding Wheel Black impact into the ever-growing pool of exciting, emerging Australian talent increases the action in an already jam packed spectacle. NZWR and WRA continue a positive, exciting partnership that benefits the sport as a whole.”
NZ Wheel Black Maia Marshall. Photo credit AllStar Photos.
NZ Wheel Black Cam Leslie. Photo credit AllStar Photos.
Paula Ward – Grants Committee Chair – The Rugby Club Foundation
"Since 2019, The Rugby Club Foundation has proudly supported and financially assisted Wheelchair Rugby. We are delighted to see the National League expand into two competitive divisions and commend Wheelchair Rugby Australia for their dedication to creating new opportunities for players. Our members will be closely following the competition, and we look forward to continuing to share the spirit of the game with players, officials, volunteers, and supporters."
The 2025 season gets underway later this month with Caroline Springs Leisure Centre set to host the Melbourne Invitational. Stay up to date with the National League on our National League Central. You can find all the event dates and locations below!
Melbourne Invitational: Friday February 28 - Sunday March 2 (Caroline Springs Leisure Centre)
Brisbane Bash: Friday April 4 - Sunday April 6 (Nissan Stadium)
Sydney Slam: Friday 9 May - 11 Sunday May (Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope)
