Wheelchair Rugby League

Wheelchair Rugby League

The Hull FC Wheelchair Rugby League side were first established in 2013 and currently complete in the Wheelchair Super League, taking on some of the world’s very finest wheelchair players.

Coached by Mike Swainger, the side reached the final of the inaugural Challenge Trophy Final in 2019, as well as recording a record score against North Wales Crusaders, 190-10, in the same season!

The side use state-of-the-art facilities at the club’s Centre of Excellence at the University of Hull, which was visited by HRH The Princess of Wales in October 2023, celebrating the inclusivity demonstrated by Hull FC.

Playing in the Wheelchair Super League, Hull FC have ambitions to become one of the league’s top sides.

The 2021 Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup inspired many people to take up the format of the sport, and Hull FC are proud to have as many as four teams playing Wheelchair Rugby League.

In addition to open-age development teams, Hull FC also has a junior Wheelchair Rugby League outfit, hoping to blood the next generation of stars in the sport.

The Hull FC Wheelchair roster is as follows:

Emma Cooper

Mell Cooper

Pete Durrant

Josh Edwards

Kevin Edwards

David Gill

Kelly Lowmis

Kya Lowmis

Tyler Lowmis

Joshua Mackenzie

Garry McLaughlin

Michael Midgeley

Tristan Norfolk

Donna Parker

Kristian Parker

Jed Rust

Steve Sampher

Nathan Sherwood

Liam Stancliffe

Billy Swainger

Mike Swainger

Conor Sweeney

Wheelchair Rugby League is an inclusive sport played by anyone. The rules are the same as the running game with slight adaptations to be played in wheelchairs.

  • 5 players on each side.
  • Tackling: A tackle is performed by pulling a Tag off the opponent
  • Play the ball: By replacing the Tag and then tapping the rugby ball on the floor and passing backwards to a team mate.
  • Kicking: ‘Kicking’ is performed with a cupped fist
  • Scoring a try: A try is scored by placing the ball down over the try line or if you have upper limited abilities you can tap the ball on your wheel when over the line.
  • Conversions: Are used with an adapted kicking tee. Indoor samba rugby goal posts are used.