Thirty Junior and 21 Women’s Wheelchair Rugby League players from across England came together at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonington campus on Saturday as the England Wheelchair Pathway continued to gather momentum.
The festival formed part of the ongoing development programme, launched two years ago to create meaningful opportunities for players, coaches and match officials to develop within the England pathway.
Across both the Junior and Women’s sessions, coaches and match officials played a key role in delivering a focused and supportive environment. The quality of play on show was matched by the passion, discipline and intent of all involved, underlining the strength of the pathway and the promise across both groups.
While the Junior session featured players aged 12–16, the Women’s session brought together a diverse and growing group of players, each contributing to a vibrant and competitive environment. Both sessions demonstrated a shared commitment to hard work, development and enjoyment of the game.
Feedback from across the day was overwhelmingly positive, with coaches and match officials praised for the environment they created. Planning is already underway for the next stages of the programme, with sessions scheduled to take place at the University of Hull and in Wigan later this year.
Lisa Singleton, one of the Women’s players involved in the event said: “It was a really great event. I was nervous about going as I’m new to wheelchair rugby league, but everyone was so welcoming.
“One of the coaches helped explain parts of the game at the beginning, and my teammates supported me throughout, encouraging me to get involved.
“It gave me a lot of experience of game play and helped build my confidence. I’m really looking forward to the next events.”
Ian Stapleton, Pathway Coach added: “I was blown away by the commitment of all the players and parents who turned up on Saturday. Both the Juniors and Women put on a display fit for any crowd.
“The talent on show proved that these pathways are the right approach for the game to grow and thrive. This is just a small stepping stone for what is to come.”
The long-term aim of the pathway is to support the development of structured Junior and Women’s competitions, alongside the ambition to stage international fixtures from 2027, as the Wheelchair game looks to capitalise on the legacy of Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Upcoming Women's and Junior Wheelchair Rugby League Pathway Events:
Saturday 25 July – Junior and Women’s Exhibition Matches to curtain-raise the Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final
Venue: Robin Park Leisure Centre, Wigan
Saturday 29 August – Junior and Women Festival
Venue: York Sport Centre, York
To register for these events, please follow the link here.
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