Steve Brown (Captain); David Anthony and Aaron Phipps, playing Wheelchair Rugby in the grounds of Cardiff Castle in preparation for the 2011 GB Cup

Cardiff Sees The Most Exciting Game of The London 2012 Games Host International Championship In The City

The most exciting game of the 2012 London Paralympics, comes to Cardiff today with the start of the GB Cup 2011, which takes place in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff from the 6-8 September 2011, when the Great Britain 2012 Squad will take on Australia; Japan; Belgium and Sweden in the highest-level challenge the squad will face between now and London 2012.

GBWR Chief Executive, David Pond, comments “Wheelchair rugby is the most exciting of the paralympic sports as physical contact between wheelchairs is permitted and forms a major part of the game. With so many of the world’s top players present, the 2011 GB Cup is going to be hugely exciting and a fantastic challenge for our team.”

A terrifying fusion of ice hockey, handball and rugby, the game was founded in Canada in 1977 and is a combination of brute force and tactical strategy. Eight rolling substitutes make up squads of 12, with four players on court per team at any time. The aim is to thunder across your opponents’ goal line with two wheels in contact with the hardwood floor and the ball in your hands. Players in possession have to bounce the ball or pass with within 10 seconds of receiving it.

“It’s a really exciting time for GBWR,” continues David Pond, “Not only is Team GB progressing well towards the Paralympic Games, but thanks to the funding support of UK Sport; the Lottery and Sport England; as well as corporate sponsorship from Coloplast and player sponsorship from the Get Kids Going charity, the sport is growing at all levels and we’re in a position to challenge for Paralympic gold.”

To find out more about the sport, or for information on getting involved, visit the GBWR website: www.gbwr.org.uk