Britain's Richard Allcroft and Gary Pate of the United States were elected as Board members of the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation ©IWRF

Britain's Richard Allcroft and Gary Pate of the United States were elected as Board members of the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) at the organisation's General Assembly in German city Frankfurt today.

The duo were among five candidates in the frame for the two available positions, with Allcroft an incumbent and Pate a new member.

Their success at the Best Western Premier IB Hotel Friedberger Warte meant that South Africa's Clyde Holland, Britain's Mike Spence and Indonesia's Rodney Holt all missed out on election.

Allcroft is a Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby trustee, while Pate represents USA Wheelchair Rugby.

Australia's Terry Vinyard has left the Board after two spells, between 1995 and 2000 and 2010 and this year.

Elsewhere, Canada's Cathy Cadieux was re-elected as treasurer after running unopposed. 

Three motions were also heard at the General Assembly, with a bid by Paralympic champions Australia to introduce video reviews of "flagrant fouls that lead to suspensions" rejected.

Wheelchair rugby delegates from 22 countries attended in Frankfurt to discuss the sport ©Getty Images
Wheelchair rugby delegates from 22 countries attended in Frankfurt to discuss the sport ©Getty Images

A motion by Brazil and Colombia to introduce a separate South American competition zone was withdrawn after the IWRF committed to providing "further competition opportunities and qualification pathways" for countries on the continent.

A call by the US to introduce athletes on classification panels was also withdrawn in light of the IWRF confirming the creation of a programme to develop athlete classifiers.

Delegates from 22 member countries gathered in Frankfurt in all, with members updated on the progress of the IWRF strategic plan as well as recent activities in the areas of competition, classification and development.

Presentations were made by Organising Committees for upcoming events, including the Sydney 2018 IWRF World Championship, the 2019 World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge and the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. 

"This year is the first time that we have held our Conference and General Assembly independent of another event, and the response of our members has been great," said IWRF President John Bishop. 

"More members are represented here than at any previous General Assembly. 

"I am thrilled by this level of participation and it gives me confidence in the strength and dedication of the global wheelchair rugby family."