Through the use of an interactive format, users of the "Wheelchair Rugby Ready" initiative will have the opportunity to learn about the sport which has been part of the Paralympics since its demonstration debut at Atlanta 1996 before gaining full medal status at Sydney 2000.

Wheelchair Rugby Ready has been developed through a partnership between the International Rugby Board (IRB) and the IRWF.

Once users have accessed the programme, they can browse through a number of chapters, each covering a separate element of the sport including pre-participation, physical conditioning, classification, equipment, and playing the game.

It also provides useful information on training, anti-doping, emergency planning and injury management.

A study by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) carried out at the London 2012 Paralympic Games found that wheelchair rugby had one of the highest rates of athlete injury along football five-a-side, powerlifting, goalball and wheelchair fencing.


"Wheelchair Rugby Ready is a great resource for anyone who has an interest in learning more about our sport," said IWRF President John Bishop.

"The programme is designed to educate fans of the game, but primarily focuses on teaching best practices to our current athletes, as well as those new to the sport."

Once each individual chapter is completed, users of the programme - currently available in English but plans are in place to make it available in multiple languages - can take part in a multiple choice quiz and receive a Wheelchair Rugby Ready certificate of completion, once all sections have finished correctly.

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