ABOUT WHEELCHAIR RUGBY
Known for its fast pace and physicality, Wheelchair Rugby is one of the most intense and action-packed sports at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. Taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre (VCC) on Thursday, February 13, 2025, competitors must navigate the court in wheelchairs, working to outmaneuver their opponents and carry the ball across the goal line.
This thrilling sport demands strength, strategy, and teamwork, offering a gripping spectacle that highlights the competitor’s determination and their ability to overcome physical challenges through the power of sport.
WHAT ARE THE RULES?
- Teams will be split into pools. Each team will play a number of matches against other teams within their pool in a round-robin format.
- Following the completion of the pool stages, the top four teams will play in the crossover semi-finals. The runner-up of each semi-final will compete in the bronze medal match and the winners will play in the gold medal match.
- Each pool is drawn based on previous Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023 results and random draws.
HOW DID THE SPORT COME TO BE?
- Wheelchair Rugby was invented in Winnipeg (Canada) in 1977 by a group of quadriplegic athletes looking for an alternative to Wheelchair Basketball which allowed players with reduced arm function to participate equally.
- From this, Wheelchair Rugby was officially recognized in 1994 by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and in the same year, the first World Wheelchair Rugby Championships took place in Switzerland.
HOW MANY TEAMS ARE THERE?
There will be 12 teams.
HOW LONG IS THE GAME?
Games will consist of two (2)10-minute running clock halves during round-robin matches and two (2) 15-minute running clock halves during semi-finals and finals.
WHAT’S THE SIZE OF THE PLAYING FIELD?
- The size of the playing field is 15 m x 28 m – the same size as used in the Paralympic Games!
HOW MANY COMPETITORS ON THE COURSE AT ONE TIME?
There are four players on court at any one time.
IS THIS A NEW SPORT FOR THE INVICTUS GAMES?
Wheelchair Rugby featured in the first Invictus Games in 2014, and has appeared in every Invictus Games since!
INTERESTING FACTS
- The Wheelchair Rugby ball is not the same as a standard rugby ball, instead of being an oval shape, it’s round like a volleyball.
- The previous name for Wheelchair Rugby was murderball – due to its high-impact and full-contact character!
- Many players use custom-made sports wheelchairs that are specifically designed for Wheelchair Rugby!
CEREMONIES
SPORT
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