Wheelchair rugby league

A few months ago in May 2023 I went to my first wheelchair rugby league (WhRL) training session.

I knew nothing of the rules, I’d never seen a game of rugby league before. Either running or wheelchair.

I only knew that WhRL accepted both disabled and non disabled people to play together.

In the past I tried wheelchair basketball several years ago. However due to my disability that causes me to use a wheelchair (Tourette’s) I was told I’d be classified as a non disabled player. All because my disability didn’t fit into their boxes for classification.

I didn’t play sport for a number of years and missed it. As a kid and teenager I played both football and badminton.

So at the end of 2022 I caught a tiny bit of WhRL on the TV as I believe it as the rugby league World Cup.

Then a few months later in about late January 2023 I looked up for a local WhRL team.

I didn’t really find one too close, however, after a bit more searching I did find that Salford Red Devil rugby league team were looking to set up a wheelchair team.

I got my name on the mailing list and waited.

Then in May we had our first training session.

WhRL is a game where the teams are mixed genders, mixed disabled and non disabled players and very accepting I have found.

I went to my first session with zero knowledge of the rules, but with the coach knowing about my being non verbal and my physical and mental disabilities.

And I loved it. Genuinely loved it.

Yes I was very anxious beforehand. And incredibly anxious when others spoke to me as not everyone was aware I am non verbal. But as the sessions went on people got to know me and I got to know others. We became a team and looked out for each other.

I also made a few flash cards to go in my pocket to say the basics if needed.

In late august 2023 (as I wrote it was last night) we played our first proper game. It was a friendly and the other team had not been made aware that we (Salford) had only had four training sessions.

So yes they scored a lot of tries against us. However the more we got into it the better we started to defend.

It was a lot of fun, learnt lots and enjoyed it.

I am extremely glad I have found WhRL. The fellow teammates and the coaches are so supportive and understanding.

We all look out for each other and support each other as best we can.

I feel very accepted playing WhRL.

Me being: queer, a non binary trans man, autistic, having Tourette’s, schizoaffective/schizophrenic, non verbal etc. is all accepted.

This sport accepts me for me. And I am very grateful for the sport and the team mates. And yesterday also the opposition.

One of the opposition complimented me after the game as well which was very appreciated.

I am so very grateful that I have found WhRL.

Here’s to many more games, fun and enjoyment.