NSW Gladiators win third straight title at Wheelchair Rugby National Championship

The NSW Gladiators have achieved the impossible, winning their third straight National Championship title in an exhilarating overtime match against the Victoria Protect Thunder on Sunday afternoon. With NSW leading for the majority of the match, they could never quite shake the Victorians, who sealed a dramatic overtime finish late in the fourth quarter to tie things up.

The experience of four senior Australian Steelers team members proved too much when it counted, with a controlled display in overtime by Richard Voris, Jake Howe, Andrew Edmondson and Ryley Batt ensuring a famous 1-point victory to NSW.

All photo credits to Stephen Tremain

The Queensland Cyclones took home the division one bronze medal with their best performance of the weekend over Team New Zealand, with Josh Nicholson playing a starring role for the host team.

In division two, The South Australian Sharks celebrated their first gold medal, defeating the West Coast Enforcers in the final, a reflection of the positive growth the South Australian’s have seen in their program in recent years. ACT Buccaneers defeating the Queensland Tornadoes in having claimed bronze in 2021 and silver in 2022.

Alongside the championship titles, individual honours were also on the line, with the following participants recognised for their outstanding performances with selection in the “All Star Team”

DIVISION 1

MVP: Jayden Warn (VIC Protect Thunder)
High Pointer: Ryley Batt (NSW Gladiators)
Mid-Pointer: Cameron Leslie (Team New Zealand)
Low Pointer: James McQuillan (VIC Protect Thunder)
Coach: Andrew Harrison (VIC Protect Thunder)

DIVISION 2

MVP: Tai Martin-Page (SA Sharks)
High Pointer: Andrew Holloway (SA Sharks)
Mid-Pointer: Conor Tweedy (QLD Tornadoes)
Low Pointer: Ashley Treseder (ACT Buccaneers)
Coach: Andy Phillips (SA Sharks)

The 2023 Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championship was a wonderful domestic showcase of the sport, with a vocal crowd in attendance to witness the crowning of the new national champions. It was however the contribution of broadcast partners Fox Sports and Kayo Sports that defined the success of the event, with the sport broadcast into homes and venues across the country both on Kayo’s streaming platform and Fox Sports channel 507 across all three days of competition.

All photo credits to Stephen Tremain

Wheelchair Rugby Australia appreciates the contribution of all sponsors, in particular Naming Rights sponsor Kayo, and recognises the monumental efforts of athletes, programs, officials, team staff, volunteers and event staff to help deliver what many perceive to be the best National Championships on record.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

DIVISION 1

NZL 47 vs. NSW 56

QLD C 50 vs. VIC 55

NZL 43 vs. VIC 47

NSW 51 vs. QLD C 40

QLD C 38 vs. NZL 47

VIC 55 vs. NSW 53

SF 1: VIC 66 vs. QLD C 57

SF 2: NSW 50 vs. NZL 44

Bronze: QLD C 51 vs. NZL 43

Gold: VIC 55 vs. NSW 56

DIVISION 2

QLD T 44 vs. WA 45

WA 49 vs. SA 56

ACT 45 vs. QLD T 51

SA 59 vs. ACT 47

WA 58 vs. ACT 29

SA 55 vs. QLD T 48

SF 1: SA 54 vs. ACT 44

SF 2: WA 51 vs. QLD T 41

Bronze: ACT 55 vs. QLD T 42

Gold: SA 60 vs. WA 47