Inclusive Rugby League hits new highs

2023 is already a record-breaking year for Inclusive Rugby League – and it’s only May! Here’s everything that we have been up to across our inclusive sports in the month of April:

Inclusive Rugby League is celebrating a record-breaking start to the season with more participants playing the game than ever before. All three Inclusive formats have already exceeded last year’s final registration figures with an overall increase of 57% across Wheelchair, Physical Disability and Learning Disability Rugby League.

Wheelchair Rugby League

We’re now three rounds into the Betfred Wheelchair Super League season and the competition hosted its first ever ‘Magic Round’ on April 15.

The weekend saw all six Super League teams come together in Birmingham for a full afternoon of Wheelchair action with over 8,000 people watching online via The Sportsman. There were impressive wins on the day from Hull FC, Halifax Panthers, and Leeds Rhinos.

The England Wheelchair team also came together for their first training camp since their historic win at the World Cup last Autumn. Head Coach, Tom Coyd, named 15 players in his squad with Hull FC’s Tristan Norfolk one of a number of new faces for an open training session in his home city, at St Mary’s College – and followed by the Hull FC v London Roosters Super League fixture.

England stars Wayne Boardman and Joe Coyd also received a rousing reception from Hull FC fans at the MKM Stadium at half-time in their Betfred Super League fixture against Huddersfield Giants.

Coming up this month

• The fourth round of the Betfred Wheelchair Super League will take place on May 13th, 20th and 21st.

Physical Disability Rugby League

Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) hosted the second Festival of the year at the Kippax Welfare Ground in Leeds on April 15 with Warrington Wolves, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity all going unbeaten on the day.

The England PDRL Community Lions also met for the first time since their PDRL World Cup win with Michelle Melling leading the session in her new role as Head Coach – in fact, since England’s win in the inaugural PDRL World Cup the inclusive version of the game has seen an incredible 30% increase in participation.

Coming up this month

• PDRL Festival Three will be played on May 14th in Bradford.

Learning Disability Rugby League

The Learning Disability Super League (LDSL) kicked off in style on April 22nd and 23rd with the first Festival of 2023 being split over two regions – Leeds and Wigan.

The weekend saw over 30 teams come together to showcase the truly inspirational version of the game and this year, over 300 players registered to play LDSL, a figure which already puts the disability variant up by 59% compared to 2022.

It was also confirmed that LDSL will be returning to Magic Weekend in Newcastle, with matches at St James’ Park during half time of Game Two on both Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th June.

Coming up this month

• Festival Two will be played on May 20th in Bradford and Castleford.

To find out more about our inclusive offering at Wigan Warriors please contact community@wiganwarriors.com