Wheelchair Rugby

Sports Summary

Wheelchair Rugby is an intense, physical team sport for male and female athletes with quadriplegia (tetraplegia). The sport can be very physical as athletes attempt to carry the ball over the opponent's goal line.

The players are classified according to their level of functional ability and are assigned a point value from 0.5 to 3.5 points – the higher the points the more functional ability the athletes have.

The four players on the court cannot exceed a combined total of 8 points. A volleyball is used and it can be carried, dribbled, or passed in any way except by kicking. The ball must be bounced at least once every 10 seconds and rugby is played in eight-minute quarters.

Events/Disciplines

Eight team tournament (mixed – males & females)

Classification

Wheelchair Rugby is a sport for male and female athletes who have quadriplegia, using as a result of spinal cord injury, or an equivalent disability that affects all 4 limbs. Players are classed into one of seven classes: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5, depending on their functional ability. The higher classification point values are assigned to those players that have higher functional levels and the lower classification point values are assigned to players with less function.

During the game, the total value of all the players on the court for a team cannot exceed eight points. This ensures that teams must field a mix of athletes of all functional levels.

View the Paralympic Education Program Video or below fact sheet for a more detailed explanation of Wheelchair Rugby classification.

APC Classification Information Sheet - Wheelchair Rugby.pdf (73.9 KB)

Rules & Equipment

Court

Wheelchair Rugby is played indoors on a regulation-sized basketball court. The basketball key area is replaced by a Wheelchair Rugby key eight metres wide and 1.75 metres deep. The part of the end line within the key is called the goal line, and it is marked with one pylon at each end.

Ball

An official size and weight volleyball is used for play. The ball must weight 280 grams and be white in colour.

Wheelchairs

As a contact sport, Wheelchair Rugby places high demands on the player's wheelchairs. They must be lightweight and easy to manoeuvre while still being strong enough to protect the players and withstand the frequent intense collisions. Wheelchair Rugby chairs have several unique features include bumpers at the front and wings to protect the side area. Spoke protectors and anti-tip devices are mandatory. All wheelchairs must meet IWRF regulations.