WHEELCHAIR RUGBY LEAGUE EXPANDS IN 2020

The biggest ever season of Wheelchair Rugby League will be launched in Wigan this weekend.

More teams than ever will be playing across four domestic leagues – while 2020 will also be a bumper year for the England team as they continue the countdown to hosting one of the three Rugby League World Cups to be played in this country in 2021.

Bradford Bulls' Wheelchair Team head in 2020 on their back of their Championship Grand Final appearance last year and will face the likes of Warrington Wolves, Dundee Dragons and Hereford Harriers. 

Martin Coyd OBE, the Chair of England Wheelchair Rugby League, said: “We’re on a roll in the Wheelchair game at the moment, after a successful 2019 season, culminating in England’s outstanding Ashes tour – and then our first Wheelchair Rugby League Awards Night at Headingley in January, when our England captain Jack Brown made history by winning the first International Rugby League Wheelchair Golden Boot.

“So the mood couldn’t be more positive as we prepare for our launch weekend and the 2020 season.

“It’s great to see new teams at all levels, from Hull FC and Leyland Warriors in the Super League, to Wakefield Trinity and Bedford Tigers in the Development League, as well as the continued progress of the game in Wales which now includes a first team in South Wales - as more people from all over the UK discover the unique appeal of Wheelchair Rugby League.

“I’m sure the competition at all levels will be fierce, and that can only benefit our national teams. We’ve got a really exciting programme of international matches planned for England in 2020, and we look forward to providing more information about that when the squad get together for the first time at the English Institute of Sport later in March.”

Wheelchair Rugby League 2020 – League Structure and Key Dates

Wheelchair Super League: Argonauts, Halifax, Hull FC, Leeds Rhinos, Leyland Warriors, North Wales Crusaders.

Wheelchair Rugby League Championship: Argonauts Demigods, Celts Crusaders, Ebbw Vale Rollers, Gravesend, NW Crusaders A.

Championship 1: Bradford Bulls, Dundee Dragons, Hereford Harriers, Mersey Storm, Rochdale Hornets, Warrington Wolves.

Development League: The Army, Bedford Tigers, Newcastle Thunder, St Helens, Wakefield Trinity, Woodlands Warriors.

February 29 – March 1: Launch weekend, including Wheelchair RL 4s tournament (Robin Park, Wigan)

March 7-8: Opening round of league fixtures

March 21-22: England and Wales training camps

June 6-7: Wheelchair Rugby League Challenge Cup and Trophy semi finals

Saturday July 25: Wheelchair Rugby League Challenge Cup Final (English Institute of Sport, Sheffield)

Saturday September 26: Wheelchair Super League Grand Final (Medway Leisure Centre, Kent)