Being forever at the forefront of the latest happenings in sport it is no surprise that Tuks is hosting a Wheelchair Rugby League Fun Day tomorrow at the Rembrandt Hall.
It is a sport on the rise. In 2021, for the first time ever, the wheelchair competition will be part of the Rugby League World Cup main event.
According to Victor Buitendag (Tuks), the most exciting aspect of the sport is that it is an all-inclusive and accessible variant of Rugby League. The game offers both disabled and non-disabled players the opportunity to compete with and against each other.
"No matter what gender or age all players can compete on a level playing field which is created by the use of wheelchairs and some slight adaptations of the rules of Rugby League.
"For example, a dad who had been involved in an accident that left him paralysed can play on the same team as his son or vice versa. So it is an excellent way to strengthen family relations while keeping fit."
"A wheelchair rugby league team consists of five players. The object of the game is to score tries. Conversions are scored by punching the ball over the mini-posts from a tee. Tackles are made in the same way as Tag Rugby by pulling off the attached tag. Five tackles are followed by the handing over of possession
Offside, knock-on and in-touch apply just like in the full version of the game," explained Buitendag.
Jesse-Lee Botha who was only 17 when he was involved in a motor accident that left him paralysed from the waist down is hoping that he and his brother will be getting to an opportunity to play together tomorrow.
His brother had been instrumental in him getting to believe being disabled does not mean you should limit yourself to what you think you are capable of.
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