The fourth season of the WRL Wheelchair League starts this Sunday at Sue Noake Leisure Centre in Caerphilly, with new side South Wales Jets hosting North Wales Crusaders (kick-off 12.20pm).
Immediately following this, Cardiff Blue Dragons face another new side in Aber Valley Wolves (kick-off 1.40pm).
Free admission to all fans for both matches.
This is the first of three rounds of matches in this initial competition for the year as the build-up starts to the World Cup in Australia in October and November.
South Wales Jets could field a full line-up with international experience, with five Wales and one Ireland international on their books. Last year’s league’s top scorer Jamie Reynolds is amongst them, he and six others were formerly with Torfaen Tigers. Wales dual-discipline international Brogan Evans has also been signed, as has newcomer to Wheelchair Rugby League, Tyma Hughes, an experienced Wales international with the Physical Disability running rugby league squad.
Last season’s double final winners, North Wales Crusaders have also registered a strong squad that could include four Wales Wheelchair players in Matthew Turner, Martin Turner, Harry Mitchell-Jones and Jonathan Gill. Matthew Turner, despite being just 16-years-old, is the highest points scorer in the history of the WRL Wheelchair League.
The other new side in the competition, Aber Valley Wolves, have the largest registered squad in the competition, with 12 on the books so far, seven of them new to Wheelchair Rugby League. Wales international Paul Sargent will provide the experience in a young squad, as will player-coach Mathew Morris-Parker.
Cardiff Blue Dragons will be boosted with the double acquisition of Jess Booth and Wyatt Jones from North Wales Crusaders. Wales international Booth will link up with their international team-mate Lee Sargent at the club.
Please come along and show your support for all sides as this exciting competition kicks off.
Fixtures:
Sunday 8th February
12.20pm – South Wales Jets v North Wales Crusaders
1.40pm – Cardiff Blue Dragons v Aber Valley Wolves
(Both at Sue Noakes Leisure Centre, Ystrad Mynach)
Sunday 22nd February
10.20am – Cardiff Blue Dragons v South Wales Jets
11.40am – Aber Valley Wolves v North Wales Crusaders
(Both at Tonyrefail Leisure Centre)
Saturday 28th February
10.30am – North Wales Crusaders v Cardiff Blue Dragons (Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, Wrexham)
11.20am – Aber Valley Wolves v South Wales Jets (Caerphilly Leisure Centre, Caerphilly)
