The University of Gloucestershire has played host to Gloucestershire's first Wheelchair Rugby League taster session, culminating in the first local derby between Swindon St George and the University of Gloucestershire All Golds, which Swindon edged.
Taking place at the University's Oxstalls Campus in Longlevens, the event used specialist sports wheelchairs on loan from the National Star College in Ullenwood and has been hailed a resounding success.
The team is open to non-wheelchair and wheelchair users alike and no previous experience is necessary.
The student team was headed by experienced Level Two coach and Sports Education student Matt Coldrey which was also responsible for organising the event.
Coldrey said: "It was an amazing sight to see so many people participating in the game, both wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users competing together on a level playing field.
"We had a whole range of participants from the Under-15s of Bredon RFC, to some lads from the Blazers Wheelchair Basketball team.
"Thanks to the excellent coaching provided by Swindon St George, the event consisted of a range of wheelchair warm up drills, some wheelchair rugby league skills drills, and culminated in some games of mixed Gloucester and Swindon teams."
Dorian Ayton, one of Coldrey's team of students, added: "It's fantastic to see all of the participants getting so much out of the day, all the weeks of hard work are really starting to pay off."
Fellow student Oli Murray, said: "We've come so far from where we were before the winter break, this event has given us fresh impetus and I'm looking forward to the future of this team."
The team are currently looking to recruit players; Wheelchair Rugby League is open to all, both wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users, with no previous experience required. For further information on the team, please email Matt Coldrey at Matt.Coldrey@gmail.com, or call 07817895573. Or alternatively follow the team on twitter @AllGoldsWCRL
