If England’s stuttering World Cup team needs inspiration for a better showing this weekend they should look no further than 14-year-old double-leg amputee Harrison Brown.
Brown has been the standout performer of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup this week, leading England to three dominant wins against Australia, New Zealand Barbarians and France.
The tournament is being run alongside the Police, Defence, Women’s and Universities World Cups as part of the Festival of Rugby League World Cups 2008.
Tomorrow night all fans are invited to see Brown and his team in action at Liverpool’s Whitlam Centre as all four teams contest the semi-finals. Entry is free of charge.
England and France – who have been led by standout performer Zelthine Forest – have proven tough to beat for Australia and New Zealand, two countries still in the development stage of the sport.
Tournament Coordinator and NSWRL Western Sydney Development Manager Steve Hewson said the competing nations have players of varying levels of disabilities.
“But all the games are played with all the passion and enthusiasm of the ‘running game’,” Hewson said today.
“Australia doesn’t play this version of the game at this stage but it is hoped that after their involvement in this tournament it will be played on a regular basis and develop into a sustainable competition for both disabled and able bodies athletes.
“Several of the Australian players have adapted very quickly to the game and have played significant roles within the matches played so far.
“The game is open to players with various levels of disability and even able bodied people can participate.”
Hewson said the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup would be used to fine tune the rules of the wheelchair game, with the aim of submitting a final set of rules to the Rugby League International Federation for official endorsement.
WHAT: Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup – SEMI FINALS
WHEN: Friday 14 November, 2008
WHERE: Whitlam Centre, Liverpool
ENTRY: FREE
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