On Saturday 5 April, The RFL proudly kicked off its 2025 Disability Inclusion Season with an official launch event held at the Hilton Deansgate, Manchester.
The celebration was followed by the year’s first competitive inclusion event, the Wheelchair Fours tournament, which welcomed over 300 participants to Belle Vue.
Hosted by England Wheelchair Rugby League star Freya Levy, the event shone a spotlight on all the disability variants championed by the RFL, showcasing the growing diversity and inclusivity within the sport.
Representatives from the Betfred Wheelchair Super League, Learning Disability Rugby League (LDRL), and Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) took to the stage to share exciting updates and opportunities for the season ahead. Among the highlights was the attendance of Edinburgh Giants captain, Conor Blackmore, who spoke about the development of Rugby League in Scotland and his team’s enthusiasm for their first Wheelchair Super League season.
Another major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the brand-new Medequip Cup, which will see multiple PDRL teams battle for victory during the 2025 season. The competition marks a significant milestone, following the proud partnership established in 2024 between Medequip and the PDRL England Community Lions.
The event also welcomed key partners including Community Integrated Care and Access Sport, whose ongoing contributions to inclusive rugby were celebrated. Initiatives such as Access Sport’s Tryz and Community Integrated Care’s Learning Disability Super League, along with their “We’re On the Same Team” initiative have played a pivotal role in expanding access and visibility for players with disabilities.
Chris Godfrey, National Inclusion Manager, said: "At the RFL, we’re incredibly proud to launch this season in such a powerful way. This event is a true celebration of every athlete and every form of the game. Everyone’s passion, resilience, and talent continue to inspire us all and drive the future of inclusive disability Rugby League. We’re all looking forward to seeing what this season holds, undoubtedly it will be filled with excitement.”
Sarah Jones, Senior Development at Access Sport, also said: “It’s been a great pleasure to attend this year’s RFL Inclusion Disability Launch. At Access Sport we aim to make inclusive sport the norm.
"Our collaborative programme Tryz is at an exciting stage at the moment, and we’re excited to see the progress of this year’s opportunities. We’re proud to be a part of such an inclusive space, we pride ourselves on welcoming everyone – we do not say no to any young person wanting to participate in Rugby League, we are here to support every step of the way."
