FUN, AGGRESSIVE and competitive was how wheelchair rugby was described by players at a demonstration of the sport in Dublin yesterday.
The Gaelic Warriors, one of two wheelchair rugby clubs in Ireland, held the exhibition in Eastpoint Business Park.
“Since the first time I had a go I loved it, loved the aggression – a lot of people have never seen the sport, for wheelchair sports it’s a fairly new sport, especially in this country,” said Stephen Aylmer from Marino in Dublin.
The aim of the game is to cross the opposing team’s line with the ball (round not oval) which, unlike in rugby, can be thrown forward. The rules allow for full contact between chairs leading to a lot of forceful clashing.
The growing sport was founded as an alternative to wheelchair basketball for those who, because of upper body impairments, were not competitive in that sport. The use of a lighter ball also helps players throw from one to another.
“It’s played in about 42 countries and it is developing in a lot more.
“In Ireland, at the minute we have about 25, 30 people playing and that’s an increase definitely on the last few years,” said Alan Lynch, captain of the Irish wheelchair rugby team who hails from Tallanstown in Co Louth.