Gold Coast to host 2021 Wheelchair Rugby National Championship
Wheelchair Rugby Australia (WRA) has today announced the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre as the host venue of the 2021 Wheelchair Rugby National Championship.
The 2020 event was originally awarded to the Gold Coast before the impact of COVID-19 saw it’s eventual cancellation. Awarding the 2021 event to the Gold Coast is a just reward to the Queensland wheelchair rugby community who are now able to watch their team play on home soil for the first time in many years.
Wheelchair Rugby Australia’s General Manager, Chris Nay said “This a fantastic outcome for our sport. After the disappointment of 2020’s event being cancelled, reinstating the event on the Gold Coast in a world-class competition venue is the perfect way to recommence domestic wheelchair rugby competition in Australia.”
QLD Cyclones players Ryan Boyd and Luke Matthews
Photo courtesy of Jerad Williams
Andrew Holloway (VIC Thunder) and Hayden Barton-Cootes (AAMI SA Sharks) competing at the 2019 GIO Wheelchair Rugby National Championship
Photo courtesy of Tom Brassil
“This event is the pinnacle of the sport domestically, and our attention now turns to delivering a competition which showcases wheelchair rugby in its best light to new audiences and in a new host city. For the first time there will be two tiers of competition and eight (8) competing teams and we look forward to delivering an event the wheelchair rugby community can be extremely proud of.” Mr Nay continued.
The decision to include two divisions at the championship is an initiative designed to enhance competition opportunities for developing players and has already ensured the return of the West Coast Enforcers and South Australian Sharks to the competition arena. The New Zealand Wheel Blacks are also committed to attending, pending travel advice and will compete against the top players across Australia in the premier competition in preparation for the Paralympic Games.
The event will be broadcast online with commentary and will showcase the best wheelchair rugby athletes across Australia as they represent their respective state teams in what will be their final sanctioned competition hit-out ahead of the Tokyo games.
Tickets will be available for purchase on Monday, 15 February 2021 at www.wheelchairrugby.com.au
2021 GIO Wheelchair Rugby National Championship
Dates: Friday 30 April – Sunday 2 May UPDATE APRIL 8 2021: The 2021 GIO Wheelchair Rugby National Championship have been postponed to Friday, 28 - Sunday, 30 May 2021 due to COVID-19 cases in south-east QLD!
Venue: Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, Carrara QLD 4211
Ticketing: Available Monday, 15 February 2021
Further Information:
Chris Nay (General Manager, Wheelchair Rugby Australia)
M: 0405 036 727