Those who have been curious about trying wheelchair rugby league will get their chance this Sunday, when Canberra Region Rugby League will host a Come and Try day in Queanbeyan.
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The event is being run in anticipation of the wheelchair rugby league competitions the CRRL hopes to hold in 2021.
Two similar Come and Try days have been held in past years, competition coordinator Jen Pilosio said, and both proved quite popular.
Similarly, the CRRL took some wheelchairs to a sport expo recently, where the children had a great time showing off their skills.
"These kids were doing doughnuts with the chairs, it was so good to see that anyone can get involved," Pilosio said.
"That's why we got involved in the sport, because we realised that family, mates, anyone can play, which is so good."
The Come and Try day this Sunday will feature activities run by Australian Wheelchair Rugby League team coach, Steve Hewson, followed by some scrimmages.
Wheelchair Rugby League is obviously similar to regular league, but the rules differ in several key ways. The first of these is tackling, which is done by stealing a tag off an opposing player, in much the same way as League Tag.
Others include the smaller number of players, five tackles until possession is swapped, and conversions (which are punched over mini-posts).
The CRRL hopes to have four teams of seven players per side in its Autumn competition, which is scheduled to get underway next month.
In normal wheelchair rugby league, at least three players per team are required to be disabled. However, Pilosio said due to the newness of the competition, the CRRL is willing to be flexible.
The capacity for able-bodied players to compete alongside disabled teammates is a major factor in the burgeoning popularity of wheelchair rugby league, Pilosio said.
"There's a Canberra Raiders team in the second-tier wheelchair rugby league competition in Sydney," she said.
"That team is made up of a family, with a couple of disabled kids in the family. That's why we got behind this sport, because anyone can play."
The CRRL Wheelchair Rugby League Come and Try Day will take place at the Queanbeyan Indoor Sports Centre from 2pm to 4pm.
Further information can be found here.
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