43 / 66
www.
ulster
rugby.com
39
ULSTERRUGBY
THE ULSTER BARBARIANS
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY
An introduction to the Ulster Barbarians
Wheelchair Rugby is a mixed team
sport for male and female athletes with
a mobility related disability in at least
three limbs (tetraplegic). A unique sport
created by athletes with a disability, it
combines elements of rugby, basketball
and American football. Players compete
in teams of four to carry the ball across
the opposing team’s goal line. Contact
between wheelchairs is permitted, and
is in fact an integral part of the sport as
players use their chairs to block and hold
opponents.
Wheelchair rugby was introduced to
Ireland in 1997 with the formation of the
Gaelic Warriors in Dublin. In April 2013
the Ulster Barbarians Wheelchair Rugby
Club was formed. They were the third
wheelchair rugby club to be established on
the island of Ireland and they are the only
club of its type in Northern Ireland. The
Ulster Barbarians have the full support of
and are affiliated with the Irish Wheelchair
Association (IWA) and Irish Wheelchair
Rugby.
The Barbarians are a young but extremely
ambitious club with plans for the future. Since
2012 they have, with the support of the Gaelic
Warriors and the IWA, staged a number of
‘Come and Try’ events around the country
with a view to raising the profile of the sport
and attracting new members. Their efforts
have been rewarded in that they now have
a membership of 12 players (9 male and 3
female). The players travel from all over Ulster
including Downpatrick; Newry; Donegal and
Ballycastle to play. Four of the club members
have achieved international honours
representing Ireland.
The Barbarians participate in the Annual Irish
League and have competed in competitions
in Germany and Scotland. Their aim is to
build on the existing structures with a view
to entering a team in the GB Wheelchair
Rugby League in the 2015/2016 season. The
club are currently training at the Loughside
Recreation Centre in Belfast but will move to
the Antrim Forum in April.
The Barbarians, in partnership with Ulster
Rugby; the South Eastern Health and
Social Care Trust Wheelchair Team and
Disability Sport NI are hosting a ‘Come and
Try’ Event on Saturday 25th April 2015 (12 –
3pm) at the Antrim Forum.
Anybody who wishes to try the sport
(with or without a disability) is very
welcome to come along and get
involved.
If you are interested in attending this
event or joining the Barbarians as a player
or as a volunteer please contact Bernard
Rooney – 07770 777 265 or the Ulster
Rugby Disability and Inclusion Officer –
Tim Craig – 07442 490 460