IWRF to debut new online educational resource

“Wheelchair Rugby Ready is a great resource for anyone who has an interest in learning more about our sport. The program is designed to educate fans of the game, but primarily focuses on teaching best practices to our current athletes, as well as those new to the sport.”

The International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) will go live with a new online educational resource entitled “Wheelchair Rugby Ready” on Wednesday (7 August).

Made possible thought a joint initiative between sport partner, the International Rugby Board (IRB) and the IWRF, Wheelchair Rugby Ready is intended to raise awareness of good practices, and to help all participants manage the inherent risks of a contact sport by putting appropriate safeguards in place.

Using an interactive format, viewers will be able to learn in depth about this exciting Paralympic sport in a fun and educational way.

The programme is presentenced in multiple chapters covering topics such as pre-participation, physical conditioning, classification, equipment and playing the game. Wheelchair Rugby Ready also provides those closest to the sport with useful information on training, anti-doping, emergency planning and injury management.

As each chapter is completed, registered users can take a multiple choice quiz, and when all sections are finished correctly, will receive a Wheelchair Rugby Ready certificate of completion.

IWRF President, John Bishop stated: “Wheelchair Rugby Ready is a great resource for anyone who has an interest in learning more about our sport. The program is designed to educate fans of the game, but primarily focuses on teaching best practices to our current athletes, as well as those new to the sport.”

Bishop went on to say that coaches, trainers, team staff and game officials will all benefit by completing the Wheelchair Rugby Ready program. Currently available in English, the IWRF hopes to make the new resource available in multiple languages in the near future.

A link to Wheelchair Rugby Ready will be found on the IWRF’s website (www.IWRF.com) when the program launches on Wednesday, or can be accessed directly at www.wheelchairrugbyready.com.

Currently, 25 countries actively compete in Wheelchair Rugby, and the sport is experiencing tremendous new growth in Europe and South America.