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Sports & venues

Wheelchair Rugby

Athlete catching the ball during a Rugby match

Venues:
Olympic Basketball Arena, Olympic Park

Dates: Tuesday 4 September – Monday 10 September

Gold medals: 1

Athletes: 88

Wheelchair Rugby: Then and now

Developed in Canada during the 1970s, Wheelchair Rugby is played by men and women in mixed teams.

The sport combines elements of Basketball, Handball and Ice Hockey. It was not played outside Canada until 1981.

In 1993, Wheelchair Rugby was recognised as an official international sport for athletes with a disability.

How to play – and win

Wheelchair Rugby is played indoors on a regulation size Basketball court using a white ball identical in size and shape to a volleyball.

Teams have four players on the court. The object of the game is to carry the ball across the opposition’s goal line.

Contact between wheelchairs is permitted, but physical contact is not allowed. In the case of a tie, overtime will be played. 

Wheelchair Rugby first appeared at Atlanta in 1996 as a demonstration sport. Its first appearance as a medal sport followed at Sydney 2000, where the United States beat Australia 32-31 in a thrilling gold medal match.

Get involved

For further information, visit Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (see 'related websites').
Paralympic Logo

Facts about Wheelchair Rugby

The sport was known as ‘Murderball’ when it was first played.

The first World Championships were held in Switzerland in 1995, with the host nation finishing last. The US won the competition.

The basketball key is replaced by an eight-metre rectangle, through which players have to pass in order to score.

Wheelchair Rugby was featured in the 2005 Oscar-nominated documentary, ‘Murderball’. Star of Murderball Joe Soares was one of the world’s best players and is thought of as one of the greatest coaches in the world. He is currently coach to the Great Britain elite squad.

2012 Hopeful

Name: Jonathan Coggan
Date of birth: 25 April, 1983
Hometown: London

One of the youngest members of the Great Britain team that finished fourth at Athens in 2004, Jonathan Coggan has built an impressive record in a short time.

Since making his Great Britain debut in 2004, Johnny has been a regular on the representative scene and is currently a member of the GB elite squad. He was voted best in his class by 12 other nations in the World Championships in New Zealand in 2006.

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