Wheelchair rugby Wheelchair rugby (originally murderball, and known as quad rugby in the United States) is a team sport for athletes with a disability. It is practised in over twenty-five countries around the world and is a summer Paralympic sport. The US na ...

is a sport with national representation at the Paralympic games. The Australian Team is known as the 'Steelers'. Australia has competed at every Paralympics Games since the sport gained full Paralympic Medal status at the 2000 Summer Paralympics. The Steelers also competed in the

1996 Summer Paralympics The 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, were held from August 16 to 25. It was the first Paralympic Games, Paralympics to get mass media sponsorship, and had a budget of USD $81 million. It was the first Paralympic Games ...

where wheelchair rugby was a demonstration sport. The 'Steelers' defeated Canada at the 2012 London Games to win its first gold medal. In 2014, it won its first

World Championship A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game, ...

by defeating Canada. In winning the world championship, the Steelers became the second nation in history to hold both the Paralympic and world championship titles concurrently. Wheelchair Rugby Australia (WRA) established in 2022 is responsible for the development and growth of the sport of wheelchair rugby in Australia. The sport is not included at the

Special Olympics Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities, providing year-round training and activities to 5 million participants and Unified Sports partners in ...

or the

Deaflympics The Deaflympics also known as Deaflympiad (previously called World Games for the Deaf, and International Games for the Deaf) are a periodic series of multi-sport events sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at which Deaf athlet ...

.Depauw, K. P., & Gavron, S. J. (2005). ''Disability sport.'' (p. 141) Lower Mitcham, South Australia: Human Kinetics Publishers.

The game

The sport is one of the few contact sports available for wheelchair sport athletes and was originally known as "Murderball". It was developed in Canada during the 1970s and made its way to Australia in 1981. The sport uses a volleyball for the ball and combines elements of basketball, soccer and

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...

. The game is played on a basketball sized court.Depauw, K. P., & Gavron, S. J. (2005). ''Disability sport.'' (p. 152) Lower Mitcham, South Australia: Human Kinetics Publishers. Each team has four players on the court at any one time. It has drawn large crowds at events such as the Paralympics.

Athlete classifications

Wheelchair Rugby is open to athletes with quadriplegia. Athletes competing in wheelchair rugby are classified according to their ability. Players are classified using a points system starting at 0.5 for athletes with the least ability through to 3.5 for athletes with the most ability. A team can have four players on the court but must not exceed 8 classification points (the combined total of the player's individual classifications).

Paralympic Games

Performances 1996–2020

* 1996 – 6th *

2000 File:2000 Events Collage.png, From left, clockwise: Protests against Bush v. Gore after the 2000 United States presidential election; Heads of state meet for the Millennium Summit; The International Space Station in its infant form as seen from ...

– ''Silver'' * 2004 – 5th * 2008 – ''Silver'' *

2012 File:2012 Events Collage V3.png, From left, clockwise: The passenger cruise ship Costa Concordia lies capsized after the Costa Concordia disaster; Damage to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey as a result of Hurricane Sandy; People gather ...

– ''Gold'' * 2016 – ''Gold'' *

2020 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, social and Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, COVID- ...

– 4th

1996 Atlanta

Australia represented by:
Men –

Brett Boylan Brett Boylan (born 26 January 1971) is an Australian Paralympic wheelchair rugby player. He was born in Sydney, New South Wales. He participated in the Australian Stealers at the 1996, 2000 Sydney, and 2004 Athens The 2004 Summer Olym ...

(2.0),

Garry Croker Garry Croker (born 2 November 1964) is an Australian Paralympic wheelchair rugby and table tennis player. He was born in Cowra, New South Wales. He participated in table tennis at the 1984 Paralympics and the 1988 Seoul Paralympics. He was pa ...

(1.0), Andrew Greenaway (1.5), Rodney Hamilton,

David Jacka David Brian Jacka OAM (born 14 July 1968) is an aviator and disability advocate. On 5 June 2013, Jacka became the first person with quadriplegia to fly solo around the coast of Australia. The trip took 38 days. He flew a Jabiru J230 with adapta ...

(0.5), Peter Lock (2.5), Steve Porter (2.5), Baden Whitehead (2.0) ; Coaches – Darryl Wingard (head coach)
. Wheelchair rugby was a demonstration sport at the 1996 Summer Paralympics. George Hucks was a member of the Australian team. During a practice in Atlanta prior to the start of the games, Hucks broke his kneecap. Hucks, from South Australia, was the team's best player. This was a major loss for the team. Hucks was flown home and another player was flown into Australia to replace him. Australia did not win a single match in wheelchair rugby. They lost to New Zealand 23–39, to Great Britain 33–34, to Canada 24–39, to the USA 18–31 and to Sweden 25–29.

Wheelchair rugby at the 1996 Summer Paralympics Wheelchair rugby at the 1996 Summer Paralympics consisted of a mixed team event. Wheelchair rugby was being contested as a demonstration sport, and not an official part of the Paralympic program, but medals were awarded and stayed on medal table ...

for detailed results.

2000 Sydney

Australia represented by: Men – Bryce Alman (2.0),

(2.0), Cliff Clarke,

(1.0),

Brad Dubberley Brad Dubberley (born 28 June 1981) is an Australian Paralympic wheelchair rugby Head Coach and former athlete. He won a silver medal as an athlete at the 2000 Summer Paralympics, 2000 Sydney Games and as the head coach at the 2008 Summer Paraly ...

(3.5),

Nazim Erdem Nazim Erdem, (born 1 August 1970) is an Australian wheelchair rugby Paralympic gold and silver medalist. He has won two gold and two silver medals at five Paralympics from 2000 to 2016. Personal Nazim Erdem was born on 1 August 1970 in the T ...

(0.5), Peter Harding, George Hucks (3.0),

Tom Kennedy Thomas or Tom Kennedy may refer to: Politics *Thomas Kennedy (Scottish judge) (1673–1754), joint Solicitor General for Scotland 1709–14, Lord Advocate 1714, Member of Parliament for Ayr Burghs 1720–21 * Thomas Kennedy, 9th Earl of Cassilis ...

, Craig Parsons, Steve Porter (2.5), Patrick Ryan (2.5)
Coaches – Terry Vinyard (head coach), Glenn Stephens and Nicholas Bailey (Assistant Coaches) Officials – Kim Elwood (manager), David Bonavita, Wendy Poole
The team won the silver medal after losing to the World and Paralympic champions, United States by one point in the final.

Wheelchair rugby at the 2000 Summer Paralympics Wheelchair Rugby at the 2000 Summer Paralympics was officially a mixed sport; however, no women participated. This was the first year that the sport was an official part of the Paralympic program. It had previously been a demonstration sport at t ...

for detailed results.

2004 Athens

Australia represented by:
Men – Bryce Alman (2.0),

Ryley Batt Ryley Batt, (born 22 May 1989) is an Australian wheelchair rugby player. He has won two gold and one silver medal at five Paralympic Games. Biography Ryley Douglas Batt was born on 22 May 1989 without legs and had surgery to separate his ...

(3.5), Grant Boxall (2.5),

(2.0),

(3.5),

(0.5), George Hucks (3.0), Kevin Kersnovske (2.0), Steve Porter (2.5), Patrick Ryan (2.5), Ryan Scott (0.5), Scott Vitale (2.0)
Coaches – Terry Vinyard (head coach), Glenn Stephens (assistant coach) Officials – Kim Ellwood (manager), Robert Doidge, Maria Spiller

Australia finished 5th in the tournament.
Wheelchair rugby at the 2004 Summer Paralympics for detailed results.

2008 Beijing

Australia represented by:
Men – Bryce Alman (2.0),

(3.5), Grant Boxall (2.5), Shane Brand (1.5), Cameron Carr (2.0),

(0.5), George Hucks (3.0), Steve Porter (2.5), Ryan Scott (0.5), Greg Smith (2.0), Scott Vitale (2.0)
Coaches –

(head coach) Officials – Kim Ellwood (Section Manager), Rob Doidge, Noni Shelton, Angela Mansell Three of the team made their Paralympic debut and Steve Porter attended his fourth Games. The Steelers won the silver medal losing to the United States 53–44 in the final.

Wheelchair rugby at the 2008 Summer Paralympics Wheelchair rugby at the 2008 Summer Paralympics was held in the Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium from 12 September to 16 September. Medalists Classification Wheelchair rugby players were given a classification based on th ...

for detailed results.

2012 London

Australia represented by:
Men -

(0.5), Ryan Scott (0.5)(Co-captain), Jason Lees (1.0), Cameron Carr (2.0)(Co-captain), Andrew Harrison (2.0), Greg Smith (2.0),

Cody Meakin Cody Meakin, (born 27 December 1989) is a wheelchair rugby player. He was selected to represent Australia at the 2012 Summer Paralympics, Australia at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in wheelchair rugby. Personal Cody Meakin was born on 27 Dece ...

(2.0), Josh Hose (3.0), Ben Newton (3.0),

(3.5), Chris Bond (3.5)
Coaches –

(head coach); Officials - Paul Kiteley (Section Manager), Chevvy Cooper (Mechanic), Angela Mansell (Personal Care Assistant), Simon Mole (physiotherapist)
Six players made their first Paralympic Games appearance: Australia defeated Canada 66-51 to win their first Paralympics gold medal.

Wheelchair rugby at the 2012 Summer Paralympics Wheelchair rugby at the 2012 Summer Paralympics was held in the Basketball Arena, London from 5 September to 9 September. There was one event where 8 teams competed. Though a mixed gender event the vast majority of competitors at the games wer ...

for detailed results.

2016 Rio

Australia represented by:
Men –

(3.5), Chris Bond (3.5), Cameron Carr (2.0), Andrew Edmondson (2.0) (d),

(0.5), Ben Fawcett (0.5) (d), Andrew Harrison (2.0), Josh Hose (3.0), Jason Lees (1.0), Matt Lewis (3.5) (d), Ryan Scott (0.5) (captain),

Jayden Warn Jayden Warn (born 23 May 1994) is an Australian wheelchair rugby player. He won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics as a member of the Australian Steelers and competed at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. Biography Warn was born 23 May 19 ...

(3.0)(d)
Coaches –

(head coach); Greg Smith (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Officials - Sam Allan (Team Leader), Nick Sanders (performance analyst), William Roberts (Mechanic), Darren Pickering (Personal Care/Nurse), Scott Curtis (physiotherapist)

Australia defeated the United States 59-58 in double over time in the gold medal match.

Wheelchair rugby at the 2016 Summer Paralympics A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, used when walking is difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, problems related to old age, or disability. These can include spinal cord injuries (paraplegia, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia), cerebral pal ...

for detailed results.

2020 Tokyo

Australia represented by:
Men - *

(3.5), Chris Bond (3.5), Ben Fawcett (0.5), Andrew Harrison (2.0), Jake Howe (1.0) (d), Josh Hose (3.0), Jason Lees (1.0), Michael Ozanne (0.5) (d), Richard Voris (1.5) (d),

(3.0) Women - Shae Graham (2.5) (d)
Coaches –

(coach); Greg Smith (assistant coach) ; Officials- Sam Allan (Team Leader), Lewis Quinn (Video Analyst), Alek Saunders (Mechanic), Brooke Cranney (physiotherapist), Emma Hall (Psychologist), David Sculac (Carer)
Team lost to Japan in the Semi-final 42-49.

Wheelchair rugby at the 2020 Summer Paralympics The Wheelchair rugby tournament at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan was the seventh edition of Wheelchair rugby as a Paralympic sport since its debut as a demonstration sport at the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta. The competition ...

for detailed results.

(d) Paralympic Games debut

World Championships A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game, ...

Performances 1995–2018

* 1995 -

Nottwil Nottwil is a municipality in the district of Sursee in the canton of Lucerne in Switzerland. History Nottwil is first mentioned around 1217-22 as ''Nottewile''. In 1275 it was mentioned as ''Otewile''. Nottwil is also the location where th ...

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

- 5th * 1998 -

Toronto, Ontario Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

- 5th * 2002 -

Gothenburg Gothenburg (; abbreviated Gbg; sv, Göteborg ) is the second-largest city in Sweden, fifth-largest in the Nordic countries, and capital of the Västra Götaland County. It is situated by the Kattegat, on the west coast of Sweden, and has ...

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

- ''Bronze'' * 2006 -

Christchurch Christchurch ( ; mi, Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the seat of the Canterbury Region. Christchurch lies on the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula on Pegasus Bay. The Avon River / ...

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

– 6th * 2010 -

Vancouver, British Columbia Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...

– ''Silver'' * 2014 -

Odense Odense ( , , ) is the third largest city in Denmark (behind Copenhagen and Aarhus) and the largest city on the island of Funen. As of 1 January 2022, the city proper had a population of 180,863 while Odense Municipality had a population of 20 ...

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Danish Realm, Kingdom of Denmark ...

– ''Gold'' * 2018 -

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

- ''Silver'' * 2022 -

Vejle Vejle () is a city in Denmark, in the southeast of the Jutland Peninsula at the head of Vejle Fjord, where the Vejle River and Grejs River and their valleys converge. It is the site of the councils of Vejle Municipality ('' kommune'') and the R ...

- ''Gold''

1995 Nottwil, Switzerland

Australia represented by:
Men - Wayne Sweeney (0.5), David Jacka (0.5), Andrew Greenaway (1.5), Bruce Stark (1.5), Ian Simpson (2.0), Justin Lunn (2.0), Steve Porter (2.5), Peter Lock (2.5), George Hucks (3.0) Coaches

1998 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Australia represented by:
Men - Cliff Clarke (0.5),

(1.0), Ian Simpson (1.5), Bruce Stark (1.5),

(2.0), Dennis Miller (2.0), Craig Parsons (2.0), Steve Porter (2.5), George Hucks (3.0),

(3.5) Coaches - Darryl Wingard (head coach), David Bonavita (assistant coach)

2002 Gothenburg, Sweden, Canada

Australia represented by:
Men - Ryan Scott (0.5),

(0.5),

(1.0), Peter Harding (1.5), Bryce Alman (2.0),

(2.0), Kevin Kersnovske (2.0), Grant Boxall (2.5), Steve Porter (2.5), Patrick Ryan (2.5), George Hucks (3.0),

(3.5) Coaches - Terry Vinyard (head coach), Glenn Stephens (assistant coach) Officials - Kim Ellwood (team manager)

2006 Christchurch New Zealand

Australia represented by:
Men - Ryan Scott (0.5),

(0.5), Gary Read (0.5), Bryce Alman (2.0), Kevin Kersnovske (2.0), Steve Porter (2.5), Grant Boxall (2.5), Patrick Ryan (2.5) George Hucks (3.0),

(3.5),

(3.5) Coaches - Evan Bennett (head coach), Brad Dubberley (assistant coach) Officials - Kim Ellwood (manager) 091007 - Ryley Batt wheelchair rugby - 3b - 2007 action photo

091007 - Ryley Batt wheelchair rugby - 3b - 2007 action photo

2010 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Men –

(0.5),

(3.5), Josh Hose (3.0), Jason Lees (1.0), Bryce Alman (2.0), Ryan Scott (0.5), Steve Porter (2.5), Cameron Carr 2.0, Andrew Harrison (2.0)
Coaches -

(head coach), Greg Smith (assistant coach) Officials - Kim Ellwood (team manager), Angela Mansell (Personal Care Assistant), Chevvy Cooper (Mechanic), Brett Robinson (Soft Tissue Therapist)

2014 Odense , Denmark

Australia represented by:
Men

(0.5),

(3.5), Josh Hose (3.0), Jason Ellery (2.0), Michael Ozanne (0.5), Jason Lees (1.0), Chris Bond (3.5), Ryan Scott (0.5),

Curtis Palmer Curtis Palmer (born 8 May 1977) is a New Zealand-born wheelchair rugby player who initially played for the New Zealand national team Wheel Blacks. In 2013 he switched to play for the Australia national wheelchair rugby team. Palmer was a part o ...

(2.5), Cameron Carr (2.0),

(3.0)
Coaches -

(head coach), Greg Smith (assistant coach) Officials - Siobhan Crawshay (team manager), Elisha Gartner (Personal Care Assistant), Chevvy Cooper (Mechanic), Nick Sanders (performance analyst), Scott Curtis (physiotherapist)

2018 Sydney, Australia

Australia represented by:
Men

(3.5), Chris Bond (3.5),

(3.0), Andrew Edmondson (3.0), Andrew Harrison (2.0), Josh Nicholson (2.0), Jason Lees (1.0), Jake Howe (1.0), Ben Fawcett (0.5), Michael Ozanne (0.5), Ryan Scott (0.5)
Coaches -

(head coach), Greg Smith (assistant coach) Officials - Sam Allan - Manager, Victoria Kahn - Physiotherapist, Lewis Quinn - Performance Analyst, Bill Roberts - Mechanic, Scott Curtis - Physiotherapist, David Sculac - Personal Carer, Angela Mansell - Personal Carer, Tim Mannion - Media

2022 Vejle, Denmark

Australia represented by:
Team - 3.5 –

(3.5), Chris Bond (3.5), Shae Graham (2.5*), Ella Sabljak (2.5 *), Andrew Edmondson (2.0), Josh Nicholson (2.0), Richard Voris (1.5), Jake Howe (1.0), Ben Fawcett (0.5), James McQuillan (0.5), Emilie Miller (0.5*), Michael Ozanne (0.5) * female athletes receive a 0.5 classification bonus Coaches -

(head coach)

Asia-Oceania Championship

Performances 2003-2023

*2003 -

Chiba Chiba may refer to: Places China * (), town in Jianli County, Jingzhou, Hubei Japan * Chiba (city), capital of Chiba Prefecture ** Chiba Station, a train station * Chiba Prefecture, a sub-national jurisdiction in the Greater Tokyo Area on ...

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

- ''Gold'' *2005 -

Carnival City Carnival is a Catholic Church, Catholic Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgy, liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (o ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

- ''Silver'' *2007 -

- ''Gold'', *2009 -

- ''Gold'' *2011 -

Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 ...

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...

- ''Gold'' *2013 -

Pretoria Pretoria () is South Africa's administrative capital, serving as the seat of the Executive (government), executive branch of government, and as the host to all foreign embassies to South Africa. Pretoria straddles the Apies River and extends ...

- ''Gold'' *2015 -

''Silver'' *2017 -

Auckland, New Zealand Auckland (pronounced ) ( mi, Tāmaki Makaurau) is a large metropolitan city in the North Island of New Zealand. The List of New Zealand urban areas by population, most populous urban area in the country and the List of cities in Oceania by po ...

- ''Gold'' *2023 -

Tokyo, Japan Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and List of cities in Japan, largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, ...

- ''Silver''

Recognition

* 2012 - Australian Paralympic Committee Awards - Team of the Year (joint winner with Sailing SKUD18 Crew

Daniel Fitzgibbon Daniel Fitzgibbon, (born 15 June 1976) is an Australian Paralympic sailor, who won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing. He won gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympics with partner Liesl Tesch in the two per ...

Liesl Tesch Liesl Dorothy Tesch AM (born 17 May 1969) is an Australian wheelchair basketball player, sailor, and politician. She is a Labor Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, representing Gosford since the 2017 Gosford state by-el ...

) * 2014 - AIS Sport Performance Awards - Para Performance of the Year. * 2016 - AIS Sport Performance Awards - Para Performance of the Year.

References

External links

Australian Paralympic Committee Wheelchair Rugby Program
{{DEFAULTSORT:Australia National Wheelchair Rugby Team National wheelchair rugby teams Australian Paralympic teams

The game

Athlete classifications

Paralympic Games

Performances 1996–2020

1996 Atlanta

2000 Sydney

2004 Athens

2008 Beijing

2012 London

2016 Rio

2020 Tokyo

World Championships A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game, ...

Performances 1995–2018

1995 Nottwil, Switzerland

1998 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2002 Gothenburg, Sweden, Canada

2006 Christchurch New Zealand

2010 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

2014 Odense , Denmark

2018 Sydney, Australia

2022 Vejle, Denmark

Asia-Oceania Championship

Performances 2003-2023

Recognition

See also

References

External links