England Wheelchair World Cup winners Wayne Boardman, Lewis King and Tom Halliwell OBE presented the Princess of Wales, Rugby League’s Royal Patron, with England shirts for her three children at the end of a celebration of inclusivity in Rugby League at the University of Hull.
Her Royal Highness made an impressive Wheelchair Rugby League debut, under the expert guidance of England coach Tom Coyd MBE and Hull FC player-coach Mike Swainger, and joined by Wales and Leeds Rhinos captain Jodie Boyd-Ward – including nailing her first shot at goal.
She then took part in separate sessions with Hull FC’s Physical Disability and Learning Disability teams, and finally with a group of boys, girls, men and women from the club’s Centre of Excellence – including emerging first team star Davy Litten, and the former England three-quarter Michael Shenton, now Hull FC’s Head of Emerging Talent.
Tony Sutton, the Chief Executive of the RFL, said: “We were honoured to welcome our Royal Patron to a celebration of the inclusivity of Rugby League – and delighted that she took such an active part.
“We’re proud of the positive role our clubs play in their communities, and there is no better example of that than Hull FC and Hull KR in this city where Rugby League is so important. It’s lovely to see that recognised.”
Tom Coyd MBE, the England Wheelchair Head Coach, said: “The support we have received from Her Royal Highness means a huge amount to the team. She’s said to us a few times that she was keen to get in a chair, and she’s been true to her word today – and her conversion was a seriously impressive first effort.
“It’s fantastic that she saw first-hand the amazing progress Hull FC have made with their Wheelchair, PDRL and LDRL teams under Mike Swainger and his team, with brilliant facilities here at the University.”
England Wheelchair return to action for the first time since the World Cup Final in a rematch against France at the first direct Arena in Leeds on Sunday November 5. Tickets are available here.
An exclusive BBC Storyville documentary with intimate access to last year’s World Cup, Made of Steel, will premiere on BBC4 next Tuesday night.
And the Betfred Wheelchair Super League season reaches its climax with the Grand Final at the Manchester Basketball Centre on Sunday week, with Leeds Rhinos facing the winners of this Sunday’s semi final between London Roosters and Wigan Warriors at the University of East London Sports Dock. Tickets are available here.
