Cardiff will be the location for the 2011 Wheelchair Rugby GB Cup when Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR) plays host to an international event in the build up to 2012.
GBWR will be joined by some of the world’s top wheelchair rugby players when Australia, Belgium, Japan and Sweden descend on Cardiff from Monday 5th September to Thursday 8th September. The tournament will be held at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff and will be the highest-level competition the squad plays between now and the Paralympics in 2012.
GBWR Chief Executive, David Pond, comments "Wheelchair rugby is one of the most exciting of the paralympic sports as physical contact between wheelchairs is permitted and forms a major part of the game. With so many of the world's top players present, the 2011 GB Cup is going to be hugely exciting and a fantastic challenge for our team."
A terrifying fusion of ice hockey, handball and rugby, the game was founded in Canada in 1977 and is a combination of brute force and tactical strategy. Eight rolling substitutes make up squads of 12, with four players on court per team at any time. The aim is to thunder across your opponents' goal line with two wheels in contact with the hardwood floor and the ball in your hands. Players in possession have to bounce the ball or pass with within 10 seconds of receiving it.
"It’s a really exciting time for GBWR," continues David Pond, "Not only is Team GB progressing well towards the Paralympic Games, but thanks to the funding support of UK Sport; the Lottery and Sport England; as well as corporate sponsorship from Coloplast and player sponsorship from the Get Kids Going charity, the sport is growing at all levels and we’re in a position to challenge for Paralympic gold."
To find out more about the sport, or for information on getting involved, visit the GBWR website: www.gbwr.org.uk/ href="http://www.gbwr.org.uk/">www.gbwr.org.uk
For media enquiries and more information,
Contact Simon Whittam
01752 823414
www.weareonshore.com
