History
1976
Wheelchair rugby started in Winnipeg, Canada, as an alternative to wheelchair basketball for athletes with quadriplegia and with reduced arm and hand function to participate equally.
1988
Wheelchair rugby arrives down under, being played for the first time in Australia during the Australian All-Sport Nationals.
1991
The first Australian Wheelchair Rugby National Championship held in Victoria with 6 teams competing. South Australia were crowned inaugural Wheelchair Rugby National Champions.
1993
The International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) was established and the sport officially recognised as a sport for athletes with a disability by the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF).
1993
Australia competed on the international stage for the first time playing in the Toronto International and then in the 37th International Stoke Mandeville Games where they would finish 4th and claim their first international victory against the Netherlands (27 - 25).
1994
Wheelchair rugby officially recognised as a Paralympic sport by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
1994
Australia wins its first ever international medal, claiming Bronze at the 38th International Stoke Mandeville Games in England.
1995
The first IWRF Wheelchair Rugby World Championship held in Nottwil, Switzerland. The Australian national team, the Steelers, finished 6th.
1996
Wheelchair rugby included at Atlanta Paralympic Games as a demonstration sport. Australia finished 6th.
2000
Australian Steelers claim Silver at Sydney Paralympic Games. Wheelchair rugby recognised as a full medal sport for the first time.
2008
Australian Steelers win Silver at Beijing Paralympic Games.
2012
Australian Steelers win their first ever Paralympic Gold at London Paralympic Games.
2014
Australian Steelers crowned World Champions at 2014 IWRF World Championship in Odense, Denmark.
2016
Australian Steelers go win Paralympic Gold at Rio Paralympic Games.
2018
Sydney holds the Wheelchair Rugby World Championship for the first time in Australia. The Steelers claim Silver in a 62 - 61 loss to Japan.
2019
Wheelchair Rugby Australia becomes a separate division of Disability Sports Australia.
2022
Australian Steelers win Gold at World Championship in Vejle, Denmark
2022
Wheelchair Rugby Australia becomes first independent body solely focused on the growth and development of wheelchair rugby in Australia.
2023
Wheelchair Rugby Australia recognised as a National Sporting Organisation by the Australian Sports Commission.
2024
Australian Steelers win Bronze at 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
Special thanks to James Coleman (SA Sharks) and Paralympic Stories for the assistance in curating this history and timeline.