The high-energy, adrenaline-filled sport of wheelchair rugby is back in the heart of Dublin. Starting from Wednesday, February 5th, sessions will be held weekly at the Sport Ireland Indoor Arena, offering a unique and inclusive experience for all participants aged 15 and older with a physical disability.
Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or a complete beginner, this is your chance to learn from the Irish Wheelchair Rugby players, who are ready to share their expertise and passion for the game.
Who Can Join?
Wheelchair rugby is open to anyone aged 15+ with a physical disability, including:
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Cerebral Palsy
- Amputation
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Polio/Post-Polio Syndrome
- Arthrogryposis
- Other Neurological Disorders
When and Where?
📅 Wednesdays from February 5th
⏰ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Sport Ireland Indoor Arena, Blanchardstown, D15 EPN4
Sign Up Today
Contact Rachel Sinnott at Rachel.Sinnott@iwa.ie to secure your spot and get started.
Wheelchair Rugby at the Paralympic Games
Wheelchair rugby, often dubbed “Murderball,” due to its aggressive nature and high-impact collisions, is one of the most thrilling and physically intense sports at the Paralympic Games. Introduced as a demonstration sport in 1996 and added to the official program in 2000, it combines elements of rugby, basketball, and hockey.
Played by athletes with physical disabilities affecting at least three limbs, the game demands strategy, speed, and teamwork. With its high-impact collisions and fast-paced action, wheelchair rugby has become a fan favorite, showcasing the incredible athleticism of Paralympic competitors.
Wheelchair rugby was first contested at the Paralympic Games as a demonstration sport in Atlanta in 1996. It became an official medal-awarding sport at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and has since become one of the world’s most exciting and popular Para-sports.
It is an intense, contact team sport played by males and females in eight-minute quarters. To be eligible to compete, athletes must have a significant impairment that affects their arms and legs.
Paralympic Champions
- 2000 Sydney: United States
- 2004 Athens: New Zealand
- 2008 Beijing: United States
- 2012 London: Australia
- 2016 Rio de Janeiro: Australia
- 2020 Tokyo: Great Britain
- 2024 Paris: Japan
Key Facts about Wheelchair Rugby
- Original Name: Wheelchair rugby was originally called “Murderball” due to its aggressive nature and high-impact collisions.
- Mixed-Gender Sport: Wheelchair rugby is one of the few mixed-gender sports in the Paralympics, where men and women compete together on the same team.
- Custom Wheelchairs: Players use specially designed wheelchairs with reinforced frames and spoke guards to withstand the game’s intense physical demands.
- Point Classification System: Players are classified based on their physical abilities, with point values ranging from 0.5 to 3.5. Teams must balance their lineup to stay within an 8.0-point limit on the court.
- Full Contact: It’s one of the only Paralympic sports that allows full contact, adding to its reputation for excitement and intensity.
- Ball Used: The sport uses a regulation-size volleyball, which players pass and carry to score goals.
- Origins: Wheelchair rugby was invented in 1977 in Winnipeg, Canada, by a group of athletes with quadriplegia who wanted a sport more suited to their abilities.
- Global Appeal: Today, wheelchair rugby is played in over 40 countries, with major international tournaments like the Paralympics and World Championships.
- Four-Quarter Format: Games are played in four 8-minute quarters, with teams using a shot clock to keep the pace fast and exciting.
- Scoring a Try: A goal (called a “try”) is scored when a player crosses the opponent’s goal line while in possession of the ball, with at least two wheels on the ground.
