We are told that ‘Wheelchair rugby is an indoor sport’? But, why is that?
Safety is probably a consideration but the founding Mothers and Fathers of Wheelchair Rugby originally called it Murderball, so, there had to be an element of danger in it’s foundation. It not as if the players are jumping out of a perfectly servicable airplane with just some silk to save them. As modern extreme sports go its up there but the most dangerous.
You have to accept that rugby players, and especially Wheelchair Rugby players are a little different and like to train hard, play hard and, for some, celebrate hard. As an able bodied person you might question the mentally of people in wheelchairs hitting one another as hard as they can but, as Canterbury Hellfire Lead Coach Steve Brown has said on many occasions “I have a spinal injury. What’s the worst that can happen, I get another spinal injury?”
So at Canterbury we do things differently. Tell our squad they can’t do something and its like setting a challenge. Can’t do Wheelchair Rugby outdoors – Challenge accepted.
With the amazing support of players from Brighton Buccaneers, Crawley Jets and even a guest appearance from Army Rugby and Canterbury Womens legend Anneka Wills the challenger was completed and a new norm might be set.
Players took to the outdoor ‘pad’ at The Marine travel Ground, the home of Canterbury Rugby in a series of firsts.
