The countdown to the 2019 GIO Wheelchair Rugby National Championship has officially begun with the draw being released today.
Almost one hundred professional athletes from six teams will take centre stage at Sydney Olympic Park from Friday June 28 to Sunday June 30.
The competition will welcome back archrivals the New Zealand Wheel Blacks who are bringing with them a lineup of stars including Cameron Leslie, Tyler Jennings and Gavin Rolton.
South Australia will also be returning to the court for the first time since 2015 featuring two world-renown stars including Australian Steeler Andrew Edmonson and NZ Wheel Black Hayden Barton-Cootes.
The New South Wales side will also be dishing out some fierce competition with Australian Steelers captain Ryley Batt leading the charge.
However the biggest pool of talent will come from Queensland with two strong sides taking centre stage once again including 2018 champs the Queensland Cyclones.
All six teams have undergone intensive training and will be determined to steal the national spotlight with selection for the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo just around the corner.
Wheelchair Rugby Australia’s General Manager Chris Nay said: ‘’This is a rare opportunity for fans to witness the best athletes from Australia and New Zealand go head to head.
‘’It’s the only full-contact wheelchair sport making it a ferocious game to watch and one that captivates crowds.’’
‘’Interest in Wheelchair Rugby has boomed across the country following the 2018 Invictus Games so we’re expecting to see a great turn out.’’
The championship is free of entry and all games will be streamed live on www.wheelchairrugby.com.au
Fixtures
Friday June 28
10:00 – Opening Ceremony
11:00 - GIO NSW Gladiators v Queensland Cyclones
12:45 – AAMI SA Sharks v Suncorp Queensland Tornadoes
14:30 - Victoria Protect Thunder v Vero New Zealand Wheel Blacks
16:15 - Queensland Cyclones v Suncorp Queensland Tornadoes
18:00 - Vero New Zealand Wheel Blacks v GIO NSW Gladiators
19:45 - AAMI SA Sharks v Victoria Protect Thunder
Saturday June 29
09:30 - Queensland Cyclones v AAMI SA Sharks
11:15 - Suncorp Queensland Tornadoes v Vero New Zealand Wheel Blacks
13:00 - Victoria Protect Thunder v GIO NSW Gladiators
14:45 - Vero New Zealand Wheel Blacks v Queensland Cyclones
16:30 - Suncorp Queensland Tornadoes v Victoria Protect Thunder
18:15 - GIO NSW Gladiators v AAMI SA Sharks
Sunday June 30
09:00 - Queensland Cyclones v Victoria Protect Thunder
10:30 – GIO NSW Gladiators v Suncorp Queensland Tornadoes
12:00 - AAMI SA Sharks v Vero New Zealand Wheel Blacks
14:00 - Bronze Medal Match
15:30 - Gold Medal Match
17:00 - Medal Presentation
Stage set for 2019 GIO Wheelchair Rugby National Championship
Sun, Jun 16, 2019, 7:00 PMby Rugby Australia
