Two Australian Wheelchair Rugby League players will be conducting a 'Come & Try' wheelchair rugby league session in Canberra this Saturday, June 28.
Brad Grove and Jason Attard, who were members of the 2013 Australian Wheelchair Rugby League team which participated in the Festival of World Cups held in London, will be at the Southern Cross Club Basketball Stadium at Tuggeranong from 6-8pm. The event is open to anyone who wants to come.
Since the 2010 formation of the competition, the Australian Wheelchair Rugby League has expanded from four to eight teams, all based in Sydney.
"It is now time to expand the game to other areas within Australia" said Joseph Chidiac, board member and founding chairperson of Wheelchair Rugby League Australia.
"The game has been played in France & England since 2000 and if we are to be able to compete on the world stage we need to expand the game and our player base. This is the reason we are bringing this Come & Try to Canberra."
He said one of the advantages of the game is that it can be played by both able-bodied athletes and those with a disability, even at the international level.
"All you need to be able to do is push a chair. In the Sydney competition we have brothers playing side by side, fathers and sons and even mothers and daughters. It is totally inclusive" Chidiac said.
Australian team vice-captain Brad Grove said he is keen to see what skills the players in the Canberra region have.
"We are always on the lookout for players with potential. After my accident I turned to sport to help me in my recovery and when Wheelchair Rugby League came along I jumped at the chance to play the game that I loved. It’s a great game to play."