Sydney has won the hosting rights to the 2018 International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) World Championship.
Twelve teams will be competing for the Championships which will be played at Sydney’s Olympic Park from August 4-10, 2018.
“IWRF is excited to bring our Wheelchair Rugby World Championship to Australia for the first time. Australia is a strong competitor with a long history in our sport, having participated in every World Championship and Paralympic Games competition,” said IWRF President John Bishop.
“Many of us have great memories of the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, and we look forward to coming back to the Sydney Olympic Park and the great sports fans of Australia. DSA put together an excellent bid and I am confident they will give us a fantastic World Championship.”
The successful bid was submitted by Disability Sports Australia (DSA), which made a formal announcement at the 2016 GIO Fierce 4 Rugby Wheelchair Rugby Nationals in Sydney.
“The success of our bid is a milestone for Australian sport and comes with significant support from our partners the Australian Rugby Union and Australian Defence Force,” says Jenni Cole, CEO of DSA.
“We are delighted that the championship will bring the world’s most elite wheelchair rugby competition to the Australian public.”
Sydney was the host of the 2000 Paralympic Games, the first time Wheelchair Rugby had full medal status at a Paralympic Games. Australia is the current World and Paralympic Champion, having taken the Gold medals in London in 2012 and Odense in 2014.
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