BULLS JOINING WHEELCHAIR SUPER LEAGUE

Bradford Bulls and the Bradford Bulls Community Foundation are delighted to announce our Wheelchair Team has been successful in their application to join the 2026 Betfred Super League competition.

Edinburgh Giants and Sheffield Eagles joined the Super League in 2025 in an initial expansion from five teams to seven, with Warrington Wolves originally scheduled to become the eighth club in 2026.

But the Wolves withdrew their application midway through the summer leading to a fresh tender process, with five applications received before the October deadline – and we have been given the nod in recognition of our longevity in Wheelchair Rugby League.

Promotion marks a significant chapter in our Wheelchair team’s history, who embarked on a significant rebuild post-covid, with England’s success in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup proving a watershed moment for many new players to join the team. 

Sue Cater, Bradford Bulls Wheelchair Team Manager said: 

“The progress of the Wheelchair Team, from just 3 surviving players pre-covid, to a team mostly of players new to the sport has been a pleasure to watch.  

“It has made all the efforts worthwhile, getting the background organisation and administration to the point where we had both the team and the structure to feel confident to make an application to the Super League.  

“The dedication of our Head Coach and Player Keiron Johnson has been integral to the development of the team, as has the energy and enthusiasm that has been shown by the players and our new super group of volunteers who support our every activity.  

“We have been fortunate to have a small but dedicated group of sponsors who have supported us across the years. Our move to Super League presents some new challenges, with more games to play and some new long-distance travel to Edinburgh and London. Long distances pose a logistical and financial challenge as well as concerns for the Welfare of the team.    

“These challenges do not make it any less exciting and it is wonderful that both the Club and the Wheelchair team have succeeded in the same season, double happiness!” 

Keiron Johnson, Head Coach and Player, said: 

“I would firstly like to personally thank all of our supporters, sponsors, family and friends for their continued and ongoing support which has helped elevate us and provide everything we’ve needed to get to this position. Without that assistance, none of this would be possible and we take nothing for granted so again thank you. 

Over the last 4 years coaching the Bradford Bulls Wheelchair team we have gone from a club which, having just won the Championship, had to completely reshuffle and start nigh on a fresh following a number of retirements from age and injury just over 3 years ago. 

This gave us the brilliant challenge of working our way back to the top level of championship with a whole new team of players and support staff, of which without the immense level of work that everyone has put in both on and off the pitch, promotion would simply not have happened. 

To be accepted into the Wheelchair Super League is an absolute honour of which we do not take lightly and will continue our hard work to show not only have we earned our place but we deserve to keep it. 

We will continue to improve week in week out, not just to compete with the higher level required of the Super League but from internal challenge for positions in that 8 player squad; which has been so integral to our success and progress these last few years.

With so many of our players being so new to the sport and fresh in their rugby career; they all have a whole lot to give and I foresee a strong future for our team in the Super League and cannot wait for the team to prove me right.” 

Richard Wright, Team Captain, said:

“When I joined the Bradford Bulls Wheelchair team three years ago, we were right at the start of a rebuilding phase. The aim was clear, become competitive again and push for Super League within three seasons. The coaching from Keiron has been magnificent and the support and development of a great backroom team have allowed us to thrive not just as a group of players, but in the wider world of Wheelchair Rugby League. 

“The support from the Community Foundation has been brilliant and to see the talented young players we’ve recruited grow into the game and keep learning has been outstanding. Our reputation, on and off the pitch, has grown immensely, and to be promoted at the same time as the running team feels like fate. I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re only just getting started.”  

Shaun Flynn, Foundation Manager, said: 

“I’m incredibly proud of our Wheelchair team for earning their place in the Super League. Their commitment inspires everyone across the Foundation. I also want to pay tribute to our volunteers, who give countless hours to support the players, the coaching team and the wider programme. With the excitement of the men’s promotion as well, this is a brilliant moment for the club and for our community outreach. We’re ready to use this momentum to grow the game across Bradford.”