A joyous weekend in Manchester produced three world champions and gave us a glimpse of the future
Those of us sceptical about playing the women’s and wheelchair World Cups at the same time as the men’s tournament have been proved wrong. It worked perfectly, with a game most nights to keep fanatics and TV executives happy. However, France 2025 intends to double the size of the women’s and wheelchair tournaments, which means an extra 16 games in each. That will require them all to start at the same time and be played over a month.
Wheelchair rugby league – and maybe the women’s game – could be a gateway to the men’s game given the hundreds of thousands of TV viewers who tuned in, with an average of nearly 500,000 per match on the BBC. IMG should explore the viability and marketability of an indoor modified running game – touch, presumably - in double-headers with wheelchair matches on the vinyl court, along the lines ofEngland do not win many World Cups with coaches who are in their 20s.
The jubilant Jillaroos, refreshed by two hours of cider-drinking, gave the England wheelchair team a guard of honour and cuddles; Australia lock Fa’asuamaleaui ran across to congratulate Lewis King; and James Tedesco shook hands with each England player. Even Aussie destroyer Reagan Campbell-Gillard reacted kindly when exuberant England player Wayne Boardman crashed his wheelchair into him as he raced to join the joint team photo.
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