Wheelchair Rugby of a different sort took place on HMAS Canberra on July 22. The event, held on the biggest ship in the Royal Australian Navy, was part of an evening of celebrations to mark 25 years of Wheelchair Rugby in Australia. It all happened at the Fleet Base in Woolloomooloo, Sydney on board Australia’s first amphibious assault ship, all 27,000 tonnes of it.
Following a tour of the Flight Deck which stretches for over 2oo metres and is 32 metres wide, 240 guests including 14 wheelchair rugby athletes, descended to the Hangar Deck for the Sunset Ceremony and welcome from Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer. This was followed by a Wheelchair Rugby match between the GIO NSW Gladiators and the Team of Legends.
Disability Sports Australia, CEO, Jenni Cole described the event to F2L as: as the most exciting as far as function events go for wheelchair rugby. “The navy were incredible hosts and the wonderful support from GIO made it a night to remember.”