Some of the toughest wheelchair athletes in the world – including Medway star Joe Coyd – will be doing battle at Medway Park, Gillingham, from 3-13 July.
Reigning wheelchair world champions England will be hoping to regain the title they won in Australia in 2008. However, they face tough competition from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia and France, who defeated England in a spectacular international at Medway Park last August which attracted the largest crowd in the sport’s history.
The England team will feature Medway Dragons player Joe Coyd, who at the age of just 15 also plays the running version of the game as part of the London Broncos academy and the London and the South East Player Development Centre.
The England side is coached by Medway Dragons’ Mark Roughsedge and managed by Dragons’ Director of Rugby Martin Coyd – highlighting the strength of wheelchair rugby in Medway.
In the World Cup group stages, each team plays the other two teams drawn in their group plus one country from the opposing group. There will be three matches each day on 3,6 and 9 July. Highlight of day one will be reigning champions England’s clash with France.
The semi finals take place on 11 July. Finals day on 13 July will feature three matches, culminating the in title decider.
Wheelchair Rugby League mirrors rugby league and can be played by disabled and non-disabled players.
Players use a standard rugby ball, which must be passed backwards, have a six-tackle rule, have goal posts at each end of the court and can punt or volley the ball over the posts for a drop goal or conversion.
The World Cup is the biggest event in the sport’s calendar. It forms part of the Festival of World Cups being staged in the build up to this autumn’s Rugby League World Cup, hosted by England and Wales.
David Butler of the Rugby Football League added: “We are very excited to be staging the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup at Medway Park.
“The facilities for both spectators and the athletes themselves are superb and we are pleased that the area has embraced the competition and that local service providers will also benefit from event.
“The games will certainly be fantastic and I would urge everyone to secure their tickets now for what will be fantastic festival of Wheelchair Rugby League.”
Medway Council’s portfolio holder for community services, Cllr Howard Doe,
Added: “We are delighted that Medway has been chosen to host the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. It is a reflection of our growing reputation as an international sporting venue, and I hope the people of Medway will embrace the opportunity to watch these elite athletes in action.”
The World Cup forms part of the Medway Festival of Sport, a three-month festival of more than 50 different participation and spectator events for all ages in 70 days. During the competition there will also be opportunities for people to experience wheelchair rugby league for themselves.
Tickets are on sale now at www.medwayticketslive.co.uk, from the box office on 01634 338338, or in person from the Visitor Information Centre in Rochester, or the Brook and Central Theatres in Chatham. Tickets will also be available on the door at Medway Park on match days, subject to availability.
Fixtures and tickets
3 July
England V France
Australia V Scotland
Wales V Ireland
6 July
England V Ireland
Australia V Wales
France V Scotland
9 July
England V Wales
Australia V France
Scotland V Ireland
11 July Semi Finals
Winner of Pool A V Runner Up Pool B
Winner of Pool B V Runner Up Pool A
13 July Finals Day
5th/6th place play-off
3rd/4th place play-off
Grand final
Ticket prices
Group stages: 3,6 and 9 July
Tickets £4 (£1 children) for a single match or £6 (£1.50 children) for all three matches on that day
Semi Finals Day: 11 July
Tickets £7.50 (£2.50 children)
Finals Day: 13 July
Tickets £10 (£3.50 children).
