Season Preview | Wheelchair Rugby National League
In the history of the Wheelchair Rugby National League, never has there been a roster assembly of this strength across the six-teams heading into the first round of competition.
Join us, as we take a deep dive into each team’s chances this season, hear from their coaches and make our season predictions.
Bond University
State Delivery Organisation - Wheelchair Rugby Queensland
Team Roster: Brayden Foxley-Conolly, Ben Newton, Conor Tweedy, Lilliana Prucha, Tai Martin-Page, Mick Ozanne, Emilie Miller
Coaching Staff: Ben Newton (Coach), Emilie Gollan (Manager), Blair Thompson (Mechanic)
Colours: Blue and Gold
One of the best-supported clubs in the competition, the Bond University Bull Sharks are a formidable team that have developed into a powerhouse since their inclusion into the league in 2023. The University itself is committed to developing wheelchair rugby, and these positive contributions extend off the court creating a tight-knit and supportive wheelchair rugby community on the Gold Coast.
Led by Wheelchair Rugby Queensland’s head coach Ben Newton, Bond have lost some key players leading into the 2025 season, no absence more noticeable than Steeler’s regular Ella Sabljak who is enjoying an extended break. Conor Tweedy gets his chance to impress in new colours, whilst young players Brayden Foxley-Conolly and Lilliana Prucha have a chance to stake their claim for Steeler’s selection in the upcoming World Challenge in Adelaide with strong performances in the National League.
Young gun Brayden Foxley-Conolly takes a tumble. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Australian Steeler Ella Sabljak will be missed by the Bull Sharks. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Luca Luissi - Director of Rugby: Bond University
“Bond University are excited again to participate in the new look Wheelchair Rugby National League again in 2025. It is fantastic to have our neighbors from across the ditch involved, which will lift the standard even higher and push our Bull Sharks to continue to perform. The Bull Sharks have a few changes also, and we are excited to watch them perform over the series. ”
Ben Newton - Bull Sharks Head Coach
“Our Bull Sharks roster has lost some experience for the 2025 season, but we expect to remain competitive and we’re proud to be the team where up-and-coming athletes get the opportunity to develop and showcase their game.”
2024 Finish: Third
Predicted Finish: FIFTH. Bond will be filthy with this prediction, and rightfully so given their past results. Player availabilities and some incredibly tight matches to cruel them this season.
University Of Queensland
State Delivery Organisation - Wheelchair Rugby Queensland
Team Roster: Chris Bond (C), Josh Hose, Josh Nicholson, Cam Whittaker, Matt Thompson, Dan Horton, Dan Clarke, Damien Mortaud, Ryan Boyd, Beau Vernon
Coaching Staff: Chris Bond (Coach), Nat Charlton (Manager), Blair Thompson (Mechanic)
Colours: Maroon
Defeat the most successful side in Wheelchair Rugby National League history. That is the challenge facing any team drawn with the might of UQ this season. The return of Talismanic captain Chris Bond is a sure sign that the Red Heavies’ will again be the ones to watch.
There aren’t many chinks in their armour to exploit, however a potential over-reliance on Bond to keep the scoreboard ticking over will see teams try to work out a way to limit his impact. Achieve this and it could go a long way to ensuring victory against the mighty Red Heavies.
Australian Steeler and UQ captain / coach Chris Bond will play a pivotal role for the Red Heavies. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Australian Steeler Josh Nicholson driving the ball. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Jason Greenhalgh - General Manager of Rugby: UQ
“We are excited to watch the success of the Red Heavies team during the 2025 National League, as they strive to retain the title. We are very proud of everything that they have achieved."
Chris Bond - Red Heavies Captain / Coach
“The Red Heavies are already a bit salty about last seasons results and are chomping at the bit to get the title back this year.”
2024 Finish: Second
Predicted Finish: FIRST. It’s hard to bet against history. UQ to win their third National Championship title in four years.
Sydney University
State Delivery Organisation - Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT
Team Roster: Andrew Holloway, Josh Hanlon, Andrew Edmondson, Jayden Jackson, Dylan Streller, Ben Leaudais, Kadir Faki, James McQuillan, Tye Angland
Coaching Staff: Lewis Quinn (Coach), Zac Field (Manager), Courtney Younan (Mechanic)
Colours: Blue and Gold
The reigning champions from 2024, Sydney University are well-positioned to go back-to-back this season, with a well-rounded squad and an expert coaching lineup to support. With NSW state coach Richard Voris assuming responsibilities for the Wildfires, Voris has enlisted the help of the Australian Steelers Head Analyst, Lewis Quinn to support as the team’s coach for the upcoming season.
Quinn’s history and working relationship with key Sydney University players Andrew Holloway, Jayden Jackson and James McQuillan in the national setup ensures that the students will be primed and difficult to beat across all three rounds heading into the season.
Recent Steelers debutant Jayden Jackson eyeing off the ball. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
The spotlight will be on Australian Steeler Andrew Holloway to lead the Students to back-to-back titles. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Nathan Charles - Executive General Manager of Rugby: Sydney University
"SUFC proudly support our Wheelchair Rugby team, championing the spirit that rugby is a game for everyone. We stand behind our SUFC Wheelchair Rugby team as they strive for back-to-back national league premierships, showcasing determination, inclusivity, and excellence. Up the Students.”
Lewis Quinn - Sydney Uni Head Coach
“With two of our athletes bringing some solid recent international Steelers form into the National League, I know the University of Sydney squad will feed off their momentum as we embrace the pressure of being reigning champs and chase back-to-back titles!”
2024 Finish: First
Predicted Finish: SECOND. Won’t be affected by much player movement or misadventure and should score consistently in the top three at any round of the competition.
Rolling Wildfires
State Delivery Organisation - Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACT
Team Roster: Cooper Blackwood, Cam Leslie, Dylan Streller, Rob Hewitt, Richard Voris (C), Ash Treseder, Peter Campbell-Rogers, Ben Fawcett
Coaching Staff: Richard Voris (Coach), Zac Field (Manager), Michael Voris (Mechanic)
Colours: Blue, White and Red
Getting a read on the Wildfires this season is proving supremely difficult. Having only entered the competition midway through the previous season, the Novocastrians finished in 6th position despite a strong showing in the QLD round.
The inclusion of Wheel Black stalwart Cam Leslie, regarded by many as the best 2.5 player in the world, will see the Wildfire’s challenge with any team and capable of beating them all on their day. Leslie is set to miss the Melbourne Invitational yet is available for selection the following two rounds.
The challenge will be for other key players such as Cooper Blackwood, Rob Hewitt (NZ) and newcomer Peter Campbell-Rogers to finish with a high enough placing in Melbourne that allows for Leslie’s inclusion to push them into contention in both Brisbane and Sydney.
Captain / Coach Richard Voris will be looking for the Wildfires to make a statement this year. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
The Rolling Wildfires will be under-manned first round but may surprise many. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Stuart Pinkerton - General Manager of Rugby: Hunter Wildfires
“The Hunter Wildfires are really looking forward to the upcoming Wheelchair Rugby National League. All of our Wildfires teams - mens, womens, colts and wheelies have been training hard in the off season. We can’t wait to put all that training in practice and play some games. Good luck to the Rolling Wildfires, enjoy the season.”
Richard Voris - Rolling Wildfires Head Coach
“The Wildfires are a bit under-manned in this first round but we thrive on being underdogs. Keen to prove people wrong this season.”
2024 Finish: Sixth
Predicted Finish: SIXTH. They are the great unknown. Expect them to take plenty of scalps along the way, however in such a hot field and without access to Leslie for all three rounds, the Wildfires may fall agonisingly short.
MELBOURNE RUFC
State Delivery Organisation - Disability Sport & Rec Victoria
Team Roster: Jayden Warn, Hayden Barton-Cootes, Jason Ellery, Andrew Harrison, Jake Howe, Will Taheny
Coaching Staff: Andrew Harrison (Coach), Willeke Walsh (Manager), Lily Pridham (Mechanic)
Colours: Green and Gold
Every season in the National League Melbourne start strongly, show promise but have fallen short of any placing of significance. That could all be about to change. The inclusion of imposing Wheel Black Hayden Barton-Cootes and his combination with former Steeler Jayden Warn could see the Unicorns the dark-horse of the competition.
Add to this the inclusion of boom rookie Will Taheny drafted to the Unicorns from South Australia to add to regulars Jake Howe, Andrew Harrison and Jason Ellery and the Unicorns have a mix that will trouble any side.
Tough to get a read on them, they have plenty of fire-power, potentially the most in the competition – it is how they gel together with an interrupted training and preparation environment which will determine their standing in the end.
Plenty of National League experience for the Unicorns as they look to charge in 2025. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Jayden Warn will be leading from the front for the Unicorns. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Andrew Harrison - Unicorns Head Coach
“The Unicorns are ready to charge into this season with confidence. With a wealth of experience and a strong core of international talent, we’re more prepared than ever to make an impact. Exciting times ahead!”
2024 Finish: Fifth
Predicted Finish: FOURTH. Melbourne to be the only team to beat every other side across all three rounds. Consistency their Achilles heel
BOX HILL BRONCOS:
State Delivery Organisation - Disability Sport & Rec Victoria
Team Roster: Jacinta Richardson, Robyn Lambird, Keenan Alexander, Shae Graham, Antonio Vecchio, Maia Marshall
Coaching Staff: Jason Lees (Coach), Willeke Walsh (Manager), Lily Pridham (Mechanic)
Colours: Navy
Every wheelchair rugby fan in the country cannot wait to see this team play. Boasting four female players hailing from both the Wheel Black and Steelers high-performance environments, the Broncos’ are the team with the most talking points heading in to season 2025.
The recent World Wheelchair Rugby rule changes relating to female classifications sees Box Hill rocket into championship contention given the function that they will possess on court, with NZ 3.5 Jacinta Richardson impressing in last year’s national league for UQ.
Rule changes aside, it is the return of Jason Lees to the club environment as head coach that could prove the most vital. Lees is the current Australian Steelers’ development coach, returning to club rugby to continue to sharpen his tools and help contribute to the national pathway. There are big wraps on him and watching how he will run his team will be a fascinating side-story across the competition.
Robyn Lambird will be looking to lead the Broncos in a season of great promise. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Much excitement lies ahead for the Broncos as they showcase some of the worlds best female talent. Photo credit Joep Buijs.
Scott Vincent - General Manager of Rugby: Box Hill RUFC
“We are looking forward to seeing Box Hill showcase their talent in the National Wheelchair Rugby Competition, hopeful for a strong performance and a successful campaign.”
Jason Lees - Broncos Head Coach
“I am really looking forward watching Box Hill go to work this season against these other flashy teams. Anyone that underestimates us this season will be in for a real dog fight!”
2024 Finish: Fourth
Predicted Finish: THIRD. That’s right, we believe Box Hill can feature in the medals. Mainly due to consistency, with all players available across all rounds, expect them to not win a singular event, but feature prominently in all three.
With the 2025 National League season tip off just around the corner, the competition has never looked this competitive. The Melbourne Invitational begins Friday, 28 February and runs through to Sunday, 2 March at Caroline Springs Leisure Centre. Check out the National League Hub and follow along on our socials, you don’t want to miss this one!