Wheelchair rugby

Events & Disciplines

Eight teams featuring both male and female athletes are drawn into two pools, with the two highest placed teams in each group progressing to the semi-finals.

Classification

Who is eligible to compete in wheelchair rugby?

Athletes with a physical impairment in all four limbs, including quadriplegia, limb loss or deficiency, and equivalent impairments

What are the classes?

0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 3.5

More info: Wheelchair Rugby Classification Information Sheet (Updated Feb 2020)

How do I get classified?

Request a classification here.

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 8m wide and 1.75m 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 (280g) volleyball is used for play. It must be white in colour.

Wheelchairs

As a contact sport, wheelchair rugby places high demands on players’ wheelchairs. They must be lightweight and easy to manoeuvre while still being strong enough to protect the players and withstand frequent collisions.

Wheelchair rugby chairs have several unique features including bumpers at the front and wings to protect the sides. Spoke protectors and anti-tip devices are mandatory. All wheelchairs must meet International Wheelchair Rugby Federation regulations.

Gloves

Athletes may wear gloves to improve their grip on the ball.

Medal History

Contacts

We encourage those wishing to explore wheelchair rugby to contact their state federation in the first instance. The national federation link below provides information on the national high performance program leading to competing internationally and at the Paralympic Games.