Pathways in
Wheelchair Rugby
Whether you’re an athlete, coach or official looking to progress in wheelchair rugby, there is a pathway for you. The following page outlines pathway opportunities for everyone in our sport. Check yours out below!
Athlete pathway
1
Try
Pathway Status: Foundation
Program: Weekly Training
Details: Local Come 'n' Try events, weekly programs available in each state and territory
Criteria: All ages welcome, gender neutral, all abilities welcome, no experience required
Program Delivery: State Programs and Wheelchair Rugby Australia
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2
Play
Pathway Status: Foundation
Program: Local Competition
Details: Each stateand territory runs a local competition throughout the year
Criteria: All ages welcome, gender neutral, eligible impairment type required
Program Delivery: State Programs and Wheelchair Rugby Australia
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3
Play / Excel
Pathway Status: Emerging & Developing
Program: National Competition
Details: National League: Three (3) tournaments across the year for selected athletes.
National Championship: Australia's largest WC Rugby competition where the best players compete for their states in the annual Championship.
Criteria: Eligible impairment and classification required, selected by state to compete
Program Delivery: Wheelchair Rugby Australia
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4
Excel
Pathway Status: Emerging & Developing
Program: Development Program
Details: Emerging Talent Program: A development program for selected players in the sport identified as emerging talent.
Australian Development Squad: Australia's next best. A program underpinning the Australian Steelers.
Criteria: Eligible impairment and classification required, identified and selected by High Performance Program
Program Delivery: Wheelchair Rugby Australia
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5
Elite
Pathway Status: Podium-Potential / Podium
Program: High Performance Program
Details: Australian Steelers: Elite level athletes competing on the international stage.
Criteria: Eligible impairment and classification required, officially categorised by National body
Program Delivery: Wheelchair Rugby Australia
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Development Pathways
Photo credit WWR / Megumi Masuda
Emerging Talent Program
The emerging talent program aims to identify, develop and support the next generation of Wheelchair Rugby athletes in Australia.
Eligibility: Classifiable Wheelchair Rugby Athletes not currently in the Australian Steelers HP Squad.
How to be identified: if you or someone you know has what it takes to make the next level you can contact us here.
Selection Criteria: Identified as new/talented, developing/capable of progressing to the next level and podium potential athletes. Successful athletes will be determined by the National High Performance Team.
Find our more by contacting Wheelchair Rugby Australia General Manager - Pathways and Talent Sam Fox at sam.fox@wheelchairrugby.com.au.
Photo credit WWR / Megumi Masuda
Australian Steelers Development Squad
The development squad aims to fast-track the development of talented Wheelchair Rugby athletes exposing them to the National High Performance Program. Athletes in the this squad have be identified as they near National Team selection.
Eligibility: Classifiable Wheelchair Rugby Athletes identified as Podium Potential Level Athletes.
Selection Criteria: Successful athletes will be determined by the National High Performance Program.
Find our more by contacting Wheelchair Rugby Australia General Manager - Pathways and Talent Sam Fox at sam.fox@wheelchairrugby.com.au.
Coach Pathway
Photo credit Megumi Masuda
Coach Development Program
This program aims to identify, develop and support the next generation of Wheelchair Rugby coaches in Australia.
Eligibility: Aspirational coaches looking to develop with previous experience coaching sport (not necessarily wheelchair rugby)
How to be identified: If you or someone you know has what it takes to make the next level as coach you can submit a nomination form by clicking here!
Selection Criteria: Successful coaches will be determined by the National High Performance Team.
Find our more by contacting Wheelchair Rugby Australia General Manager - Pathways and Talent Sam Fox at sam.fox@wheelchairrugby.com.au.
Wheelchair Rugby Fundamentals
If you’re looking to get involved in wheelchair rugby as a coach, the WRA Fundamentals Course is your starting point. Now available on Rugby Xplorer!
Officials Pathway
Wheelchair rugby provides referees, classifiers and scorebench officials the opportunity to officiate at a local, national, zonal and international level.
Progression and pathways for officiating role is slightly different. Click the link to learn more.