The University of Hull hosts a major festival featuring three variations of the game – Wheelchair, Physical Disability and Learning Disability Rugby League
All six Betfred Wheelchair Super League sides will compete in a Challenge Cup qualifying tournament at the Allam Sports Centre alongside the current Coupe De France champions, Catalans Dragons, who made history in 2022 when they became the first French side to enter the competition. Each team will compete in a round robin tournament, with the top two clubs earning their place in this year’s Final at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Sunday August 20.
Rugby League fans can catch all the Wheelchair Challenge Cup action, free of charge, from 1.15pm – including Hull FC, whose quest for Challenge Cup glory begins with fixtures against London Roosters and Warrington Wolves.
Catalans Dragons made it all the way to the final in their debut season, but a sensational performance from Leeds Rhinos meant that James Simpson’s side eventually went on to win the match 48-34 and claim their third successive Wheelchair Challenge Cup.
The Rhinos could become the most successful Wheelchair Challenge Cup side in history should they be victorious again this season and will begin their title defence against Wigan Warriors before a repeat of last year’s final when they face the Dragons in the second round of fixtures.
Reigning Betfred Wheelchair Super League champions, Halifax Panthers, begin their campaign against London Roosters. The Roosters, led by England Head Coach Tom Coyd, currently sit second in the domestic table and can already boast a victory over the Panthers at Medway Park, Gillingham, in May.
And Wheelchair Rugby League kicks off the whole festival from 10.30am, with an eight team Trophy competition for the sport’s developing wheelchair teams – including Bradford Bulls and Sheffield Eagles, and Wheelchair Championship leaders North Wales Crusaders.
Outdoors, on the sports ground opposite the Allam Sports Centre, spectators can experience the best of both physical and learning disability Rugby League, with teams including Bradford Bulls, Warrington Wolves, Castleford Tigers and Salford Red Devils all in action from 11am.
Wheelchair Trophy competition, 10.30am-1pm
Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup, 1.15pm-4pm
PDRL and LDRL Festivals, 11am-1pm
