Rugby League’s physical disability variation, PDRL, takes centre stage in Sheffield on Saturday (30 September) when Castleford Tigers, Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield Trinity, Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors compete for the 2023 crown.
Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park is the venue – another feather in the city’s inclusivity cap after hosting the Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final in August.
PDRL has seen an incredible 67% increase in participation since England’s World Cup win a year ago, with more players than ever before taking part in the various regional festivals held throughout 2023.
And it’s been another impressive season for Wakefield Trinity, with England PDRL Community Lions players?John Clements, Darren Dean and Adam Fleming leading their side to the League Leaders’ Shield ahead of this weekend’s play-offs. Trinity will go into finals day as favourites, though near-neighbours Castleford Tigers and the rest of the sides in action on Saturday will have something to say about that.
Four other clubs – Bradford Bulls, Hull FC, Hull KR and Salford Red Devils – are also taking part in Saturday’s festival, which gets underway at 12noon with admission free at Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park.
And the PDRL action won’t stop after Saturday, with the England PDRL Community Lions set to take on Wales at?Pilkington Recs, St Helens, on Saturday 14 October in the second of a two-game series. England defeated Wales 22-10 at Llandovery RFC earlier this month and head coach Michelle Melling will again be selecting her squad on the back of this season’s development days and domestic representative matches.
