Wheelchair Rugby Set For New Year’s Transfer   

Paralympics Australia’s management of the national wheelchair rugby high performance program will transition to Wheelchair Rugby Australia on January 1, 2025 under a plan that’s been described as the next chapter in the flagship Paralympic sport’s evolution.   

The program experienced immense success under Paralympics Australia’s stewardship, including the Steelers winning consecutive Paralympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, and world championship titles in 2014 and 2022.   

However, Wheelchair Rugby Australia – recognised as a National Sporting Organisation by the Australian Sports Commission after its official formation in 2022 – plans to streamline the connection between wheelchair rugby’s grassroots participation programs and the high performance program and unlock potential new areas of growth and development.   

“Being able to operate a ‘whole-of-sport’ model – aligning all areas of wheelchair rugby across participation, pathways, competition and sustainable revenue – was a motivating factor,” Wheelchair Rugby Australia CEO Chris Nay said.   

“In a nutshell, we’re simply hoping to provide more robust and connected operations to support ongoing success and sustainability for wheelchair rugby.”   

Mr Nay said there was great respect for what Paralympics Australia had achieved managing the program.   

“We understand that what we’re trying to do is improve on a structure that’s been highly successful,” he said.   

“Regardless of the success, there have been some competing priorities as far as having the grassroots of the sport separate from the high performance program and our sport is not big enough to sustain that in a healthy way in the long term.”  

Mr Nay said the transition had been undertaken with a measured approach, a long lead time and in close collaboration with Paralympics Australia.  

“The timing is right, we have a launchpad to capitalise on the momentum that’s been built up over years,” he said.   

“We’re excited about it, I think the wheelchair rugby community is excited about it, it feels like the next chapter for the sport. We have high ambitions for where the sport can go with an improved governance model that will support the entire wheelchair rugby ecosystem in Australia.  

“I’d also like to commend the outstanding work and contribution of Paralympics Australia’s organisation and staff, both current and former, who have shaped the high performance program into what it is today.

“We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with them into the future and calling upon their immense history in the sport to help shape its trajectory.”  

Paralympics Australia’s management of high performance wheelchair rugby included the coordination and delivery of innovation projects and sports science initiatives, as well as access to facilities and the daily training environment.   

Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Cameron Murray said he wished Mr Nay and Wheelchair Rugby Australia well and thanked those at Paralympics Australia who had worked so hard for the program.   

“I can’t praise enough the professionalism and incredible dedication of our Paralympics Australia staff who coached, managed and administered our high performance wheelchair rugby program over many years,” Mr Murray said.  

“The success of the program not only elevated the sport, it lifted the whole Australian Paralympic Team and the entire Paralympic Movement.   

“Key staff driving the delivery of the high performance program have been long-term employees of Paralympics Australia, with some starting in roles outside the wheelchair rugby program. The staff have been PA family and not only contributed to the wheelchair rugby program, but significantly to the whole Paralympics Australia organisation throughout their tenure.   

“We wish everyone well in the transition to Wheelchair Rugby Australia and we look forward to working closely together to achieve continued success and growth for the sport.”  

Among those who will move across to Wheelchair Rugby Australia is Paul Kiteley, the sport’s National Performance Director. Mr Kiteley said wheelchair rugby was “ready to stand in its own right for the next part of the journey”.  

“So, let’s celebrate the fantastic history and what will be an ongoing close working relationship with Paralympics Australia because the Steelers have always been integral to the overall Australian Paralympic Team and that’s not going to change,” he said.  

“With the funding certainty we’ve gained in recent times, it allows us to bring in our own experts in areas like sport science and innovation to help guide us to continue being world class. We’ll be investing in creating better daily performance environments, more coaching, more resources to make sure every athlete that gets involved in our sport gets the support they need to keep improving.”  

Meanwhile, the link with Paralympics Australia would remain strong.   

“We believe we’ll be able to do some exciting things as an individual sport but also do some exciting things in collaboration with other sports and with PA, because that’s how you get better.”   

By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia

Published: 27 December 2024