The Sportsman to show Panthers-Roosters Semi-Final this weekend...
Wheelchair Rugby League is celebrating its biggest and best domestic season yet – and with dates for the Play-Offs, Grand Final and an England international now confirmed, there’s plenty more to come.
And building on that success in the aftermath of England’s triumph in the 2022 World Cup, the RFL today confirms an expansion to the Betfred Wheelchair Super League in 2025, with applications invited for an eight-team competition.
The last round of the Betfred Wheelchair Super League at the weekend confirmed the final standings, with League Leaders Leeds Rhinos beating the reigning champions Wigan Warriors in a thriller on Saturday – before the Warriors bounced back with an impressive win at second-placed Halifax Panthers 24 hours later to fire a warning ahead of the Play-Offs that they won’t give up their title without a fight.
Wigan finished fourth and now face another trip to Leeds to face James Simpson’s Rhinos in the Semi Finals this Saturday evening (630pm) – while Halifax will play Tom Coyd’s London Roosters on neutral territory at Hull’s Allam Arena in a match that will be covered live by The Sportsman (330pm).
The winners will book their places in the 2024 Betfred Wheelchair Super League Grand Final which will also be played at the Allam Arena on Sunday October 13 – the day after the Betfred Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford – with the kick-off at 17:30, and live coverage on Sky Sports.
But there has been so much more to the success of the 2024 Wheelchair Rugby League season than the growing competitiveness of the Super League, with five additional teams playing across a revamped league structure, and another eight new teams starting their journey in the Wheelchair game through development activity.
That was reflected in a recent England development day at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, as for the first time, dedicated training and selection sessions were held for Women and Juniors.
That success will be celebrated at the Wheelchair Rugby League International between England and France at Robin Park in Wigan on Saturday October 26, as it will be preceded by a first Women’s representative match.
And the growing number of players of Wheelchair Rugby League is a key factor behind the decision to expand the Super League to eight teams in 2025.
Chris Godfrey, the RFL’s National Inclusion Manager, said:
“The format in 2024 has allowed all to see the rising standard of performance outside of the Super League with strong showings in the Challenge Cup from teams like Edinburgh Giants, Hereford Harriers and others. Applications to enter the Betfred Wheelchair Super League in 2025 will be opened soon.
“It is important now to ensure that the Wheelchair game is truly aspirational and elite participation is accessible. Expanding the Super League allows those outside of it to aim to achieve a position amongst the game's best.
“Whilst on field factors will play a part in applications, importantly the application process will consider all aspects of elite participation and sustainability. In a sport where resources are at a premium it is vitally important that through the application process, we consider a holistic view of all teams' infrastructures guaranteeing they contribute to the growth of the competition.
“It’s an exciting stage for the competition. All eight places are open to application, and whilst existing participants will be in the pole position to retain a place, it is not a given and we welcome applications from far and wide, inside the game and outside.”
The Women’s and Juniors squads for the England Wheelchair Rugby League Futures Programme include players from six clubs in Yorkshire - Wakefield Trinity, York, Sheffield Eagles, Bradford Bulls, Hull FC and Leeds Rhinos – plus Bedford, Gravesend and Woodlands from the south-east.
Tickets for the Wheelchair International between England and France on October 26 are on sale from £11 - click here.
Tickets for the Betfred Wheelchair Super League Grand Final at Hull’s Allam Arena on Sunday October 13 will go on sale soon.
