England’s performance at the World Cup has helped bring new people into wheelchair rugby league
On Tuesday night, before Friday’s final Wheelchair Rugby League game, head coach Tom Coyd and the England team went out for a meal at the home of former rugby star Nathan McAvoy.
It is not clear whether Coyd was successful in trying to convince the World Cup winner to play in a wheelchair, but there is no doubt that the veteran player who has chosen to do so will take the sport further than that. the rise that has taken place at the World Cup.
Arguably the most inclusive sport in the world, it allows disabled and non-disabled men and women of all ages to compete on the playing field and has won new audiences who are fascinated by the skills and physicality on display. competition.
Hosts England have also advanced, now just one win away from lifting the trophy for the first time since 2008, and Coyd is in no doubt that there is more to come in Friday’s final against France.
“It’s the best look at the game and it’s probably been the best kept secret in the game for a while because it has so many unique features,” Coyd said. Sky Sports.
“There aren’t many games where you can play with everyone at the same level and it’s an amazing game that is finally getting the recognition it deserves.
“It will be an exciting time for the game in England when the former player hangs up his boots and starts playing in a wheelchair to stay fit and elite.
There aren’t many games where you can play with everyone on a level playing field and it’s an amazing game that’s finally getting the recognition it deserves.
England’s chief executive Tom Coyd on the development of the RL chair
“Don’t get me wrong, though, the seat control thing is a big part to begin with, and you have to spend a few years and thousands of hours to get that part right.”
One of England’s leading lights in the run-up to the finals is one of the world’s most disabled players, with Seb Bechara named this year’s wheelchair Golden Boot winner for the world’s best player.
The Nottingham-born Catalans Dragons player received the honor on Tuesday, with 2019 winner and England team-mate Jack Brown among the nominees. The pair were included in the disabled squad for the World Cup alongside Coyd’s brother Joe.
“It means a lot,” Bechara said Sky Sports, considering what he has done over the years to get to this point. “There has been a lot of hard work in the shadows for a long time.
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England’s Seb Bechara said it was a special feeling to win the Golden Boot for his efforts in helping the team reach the finals of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup.
“People say I’m not a hard worker, I’m the one who works hard and nobody sees them, so it’s very important to be recognized and know that hard work pays off.
“I live in the south of France, and I have spent many years traveling back to England to all the camps for the disabled, and I remember four years ago I had to pay for it myself.
“I had to move here for four or six months away from my friends and family, my girlfriend and my job just to focus on this World Cup. Hard work and a lot of training, but a lot of dedication.”
Bechara, who has lived in France since the age of 10, played rugby before losing his leg in a motorcycle accident, while Brown started playing alongside his brother Harry, who later switched to Great Britain basketball. countries.
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Bechara believes the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup has helped take the sport to the next level as it continues to grow globally.
Coyd is delighted that they have both found a wheelchair version in rugby league, both have been England team reserves and Brown’s involvement since the Paralympic World Cup in Australia 14 years ago.
“These two are crazy runners,” Coyd said. “They can be very successful in whatever sport they play, and disability rugby league has been blessed to have chosen our sport.
“They’re great to watch as a spectator and as a coach, they’re a joy to work with. They put a lot of focus and energy into their performance and you talk about people who work hard in different industries, I’ve never seen two guys work so hard at their game.
“They all have full-time jobs, so they deserve respect. It was great to have Joe join the championship team, but if every team is getting better. recognition.”
It’s the most important game in our lives, we’re ready and we think we’ve got what it takes.
Seb Bechara of England in the final Wheelchair RL World Cup
England and two-time winners France have cemented their place as rugby’s leading nations at the tournament, both going through their groups unbeaten. England then defeated Wales in the semi-finals, as the hosts battled past Australia in the last four.
This will be the third consecutive final between the two rivals, with France defeating England by two and four points respectively in 2013 and 2017. when they won 62-48 in June.
With the men and women knocked out of their respective semi-finals, the disabled team are carrying hopes of a World Cup win at home to Manchester Central on Friday – something the 2017 final Bechara has long dreamed of.
“Every minute of the day and night I have pictures of the French players coming into my head, I deal with them and they don’t stop, all the time,” Bechara said.
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Highlights from England’s 62-48 wheelchair rugby league victory over France in June
“Even before the Wales game, my mind was on France and that’s how I knew we would meet again. It’s a very important game in our lives, we’re ready and we think we’ve got what it takes.”
The final teams of the Wheelchair World Cup
England: Seb Bechara, Wayne Boardman, Jack Brown, Nathan Collins, Joe Coyd, Tom Halliwell (captain), Rob Hawkins, Lewis King, Declan Roberts, James Simpson.
France: Mostefa Abassi, Lionel Alazard, Jeremy Bourson, Gilles Clausells (captain), Nicolas Clausells, Florian Guttardoro, Jonathan Hivernat, Guillaume Mautz, Julien Pennella, Arno Vargas.
Sky Sports is home to all three Super League Grand Finals in 2023. The Men’s Grand Final, Women’s Grand Final and Wheelchair Grand Final will all be shown on Sky Sports next season. The new Super League starts on Thursday, February 16.
