Paris 2024 Paralympic Games: What is wheelchair rugby?

This year, Fund Ambassador Stu Robinson is competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games as part of the Team GB Paralympic wheelchair rugby team, following the team’s gold medal win at the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics. We delved into what the sport entails and how it is played by the athletes.

Wheelchair rugby is a full-contact team sport for athletes with disabilities, notable for allowing both men and women to compete together on the same team.

Each match features four eight-minute quarters, with teams consisting of 12 players, though only four players from each team are on the court simultaneously.

The game is played on a basketball court using a ball similar to a volleyball, round in shape rather than oval. The clock stops whenever the ball goes out of bounds or fouls occur. The game is known for its intensity and aggressive play, so much so that the sport has earned the nickname ‘Murderball’!

Wheelchair rugby became an official Paralympic sport at the Sydney 2000 Games after being demonstrated at the Atlanta 1996 Games. 

The Paralympic Games is a major international multi-sport event involving athletes with a range of disabilities, including physical, vision, and intellectual impairments. The Paralympics are held shortly after the Olympic Games, using the same venues and facilities, providing a platform for athletes with disabilities to compete at the highest levels.

Great Britain has consistently qualified for the Paralympics, dominating the European circuit with five European gold medals and achieving Paralympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

RAF Benevolent Fund Ambassador Stu Robinson is part of the Paralympics GB Wheelchair Rugby team taking part in the Paralympic Games this summer. 

Stu said: "I love wheelchair rugby so much because I have the opportunity to play sport at the highest level and still be part of a team environment. The game is so fast-paced and exhilarating!"

The Wheelchair Rugby Games start on 29 August until 2 September 2024.