Wheelchair Rugby Tournament Gets Welcome Lift

On a weekend when rugby news will be dominated by the six nations internationals, Toyota is supporting a wheelchair rugby tournament that promises to be every bit as enthralling.

Wheelchair rugby players will compete for The Trevor Williams Memorial Trophy at Loughborough University between 31st March and 2nd April. The Mayor of Charnwood, Councillor Barry Powell, will open the event and Matt Allen and Chris Johnson from Northampton Saints Rugby Club will also be there to support the players.

Actively supported by Toyota, six teams from Great Britain and two from Europe will battle to become the first winners of this tournament. Named after a former Loughborough University lecturer, Trevor Williams who was an ardent supporter of disabled sport, the fast moving games promise an exciting spectacle. Trevor Williams eventually became coach of host team, East Midlands Marauders until his death in December 1998. This tournament is dedicated to his memory.

Tournament organiser and player for the Marauders, Rob Tarr says that Toyota’s support is invaluable: “Their help means that we can concentrate on preparing to play our games rather than worrying about transporting equipment to and from the venue.”

Neal Standen, Toyota Special Sales Manager, commented that Toyota’s involvement with this tournament was just part of the company’s commitment to providing disabled people with reliable lifestyle enhancing transport.

“Independent transport can dramatically change people’s lives and our Toyota Motability Specialists, who offer advice to drivers about vehicle suitability and the type and cost of any adaptation they may require, have rewarding roles helping people on the road to independent travel.”

Date:

• Friday 31st March 2000

Time:

• Opening 5.30pm
• First game 6.00pm Approx.

Venue:

The Sports Hall

Loughborough University

Loughborough

Leicestershire

Attended by:

• Charnwood Mayor, Councillor Barry Powell
• Matt Allen, Northampton Saints Rugby Club
• Chris Johnson, Northampton Saints Rugby Club
• John Carlisle, Dealer principal, Farmer & Carlisle Toyota
• Richard Allcroft, Secretary, Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Association
• Rob Tarr, Tournament Organiser, The Trevor Williams Memorial Trophy

Both Richard Allcroft and Rob Tarr are available for comment and can be contacted through Baron Gotfraind on T: 0208 891 0880, Mobile: 0468 172923 or by e-mail at baron@howardwarwick.co.uk

BACKGROUND

The Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Association exists to co-ordinate and develop the sport of wheelchair rugby in the UK. It represents British interests on international bodies and runs elite athlete training for the British team. The Great Britain squad will be competing in the Sydney Paralympics in November 2000 and is currently undertaking extensive training commitments throughout the year.

The game is described as the team sport for tetraplegics or anybody with upper limb impairment. Players are graded according to arm and hand muscle function and strength and teams have to consist of graded players to a specific number of points ensuring that teams are able to compete on equal terms.

The object of the game is to score by carrying the ball over your opponent’s goal line. Most chair-to-chair contact is allowed but not body contact. The opposition attempts to gain possession of the ball by blocking attacks and forcing errors.

ENDS