EVENT TO BE HELD AT THE PRINCIPALITY STADIUM, CARDIFF IN MAY 2023
Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR), who claimed an historic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic
Games this summer, has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2023 World Wheelchair Rugby European
Championship Division A Tournament.
As Great Britain enjoys unprecedented success in wheelchair rugby, having claimed victory in the last three
consecutive European Championships, the vision for the event is clear – to deliver the best European
Championships ever! This will be achieved not just by producing the ultimate experience for athletes, fans,
volunteers and partners but by creating a legacy of more people playing, volunteering and supporting the
high impact, adrenaline packed game in Wales.
The eight-team event, which will be held in the iconic Principality Stadium in Cardiff from the 3-7 May 2023,
will act as a qualifier for Paris 2024, with the top two teams automatically qualifying for the Paralympic
Games.
Jim Roberts, GBWR gold medallist said: “What a time for wheelchair rugby! I was honoured to represent GB
in Tokyo this summer and to return home with a gold medal was amazing. Now to have GBWR showcase
such a major event in my home country is just fantastic and I have no doubt that this is going to be brilliant
for the sport I’ve spent so much time involved with. I don’t believe there is anywhere more passionate
about rugby than Wales and our world class stadium will showcase wheelchair rugby at its very best. I am
passionate about promoting the game and will be fully behind the community engagement planned as we
aim to leave a true and lasting legacy in Wales.”
Community engagement and legacy were essential components of the winning bid and will form an
important element in the lead up to, during and post the Championships. The intention is to build on the
development work of GB Wheelchair Rugby and the Welsh Rugby Union to ensure a meaningful legacy with
the tournament organisers working closely with the Welsh Government, Cardiff City Council, schools and
colleges, the Welsh Rugby Union, Disability Sport Wales, UK Sport and GBWR. Whilst helping the
community to better understand the challenges faced by those who are disabled, a key focus will also be
on inspiration and motivation, demonstrating that disability is no barrier to an individual achieving their
dreams. Alongside the tournament will be a festival of entertainment which will include a celebrity
wheelchair rugby match.
The WRU and the Principality Stadium have been at the forefront of supporting the championship coming
to Wales and being staged in the home of Welsh rugby. The stadium will give athletes an opportunity to
perform in a venue which reflects their world standing as elite athletes in front of a passionate rugby-loving
crowd!
The championships will be supported with grants from UK Sport, Welsh Government and GB Wheelchair
Rugby, and with partner support from WRU, Cardiff City Council and Disability Sport Wales. An Event
Delivery Committee chaired by David Pond, former CEO of GBWR who led the team to victory in Tokyo and
masterminded the successful bid, will be responsible for delivering the championships and will include
former Wales rugby international Rupert Moon, Welsh Gold medal Paralympian swimmer Liz Johnson and
wheelchair rugby star Jim Roberts.
