Image: Ryley Batt, the number one wheelchair rugby player in the world
One of the world’s most brutal sports will take the main stage in Sydney’s CBD in September.
The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) this week unveiled that the Wheelchair Rugby Tri-Nations will be held outdoors for the first time in Australia, at St Mary’s Cathedral Square from September 18-20.
Boasting the number one player in the world, Ryley Batt, the Australian Steelers will take on wheelchair rugby powerhouses, the USA, and cross-Tasman rivals New Zealand.
“Wheelchair rugby is a great sport in the people’s eyes and they’re looking at it and seeing how fast and physical it can be,” said Mr Batt.
“The whole Paralympic movement has stepped up the last four to eight years. We’re at the pinnacle of how far the Paralympic movement has been.”
Known as ‘Murderball’, wheelchair rugby combines elements of basketball, football and ice hockey. The sport is an intense, physical team sport for men and women athletes with quadriplegia or a disability that affects all four limbs.
Wheelchair rugby is experiencing unprecedented popularity in Australia in the wake of last year’s successful London Paralympic Games campaign, in which the Steelers won the gold medal.
“It’s popular because it’s an impact sport,” said Mr Batt. “It’s the only impact sport in a wheelchair available. If you do see it live, it’s a pretty fast sport.
“It’s also great to see what people with a disability can overcome.”
In a first for the APC, it will be erecting a purpose-built wheelchair rugby court and three small grandstands alongside Sydney’s College St, in what APC Chief Executive Jason Hellwig said is a perfect opportunity to promote one of Paralympic sport’s flagship sports.
“The momentum and interest in our Paralympic athletes and sports continues to steamroll almost a year since the London Paralympics and I have no doubt that is down to the quality and talent of our athletes in representing Australia on the world stage,” he said.
The Tri-Nations tournament is supported by the City of Sydney Council, who helped facilitate the production of the event.
“This ticks all the boxes for us,” said Councillor John Mant. “It supports the Paralympic movement and it’s a great event for the city. It showcases the city and makes use of a space that’s not used enough.
“These guys are such heroes in showing what you can do and how you can become world famous, and what’s possible.”
Tickets for the Wheelchair Rugby Tri-Nations went on sale yesterday at Ticketmaster, while the event will be televised on Fox Sports.
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