Protect Victoria Cup 2019 Season Guide Welcome to the 2019 Protect What is wheelchair rugby? Victoria Wheelchair Rugby Cup

Disability Sport & Recreation is committed to creating change Wheelchair rugby is a fast paced, tactical game for people that sees improved choice, access and participation for people with a physical disability that affects at least three of their with disability who want to take part in sport and recreation. limbs. We are the governing body for wheelchair rugby in Victoria Since its inclusion to the in 2000, and have over 55 years’ experience coordinating programs at wheelchair rugby’s popularity has taken off worldwide. a development, state and national level to provide a pathway Australia is currently ranked no.1 in the world by the for people to take part in the sport. International Wheelchair Rugby Federation and Victoria We thank Rugby Victoria, the rugby clubs and community, for proudly fielded seven of the 12 players who won gold at the their continued support of this fast growing sport. 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. We also thank the Victorian State Government and ETU for Played on a hardwood basketball court over four 8 minute their ongoing contribution and Protect, as the major supporter quarters, two teams battle it out using their specially designed and naming rights sponsor for wheelchair rugby. wheelchairs to crash, block and trap their opponents in an The 2019 season kicked off in a big way, with the Melbourne attempt to stop them from scoring a goal, which is achieved Wheelchair Rugby Invitational and Ken Sowden Cup taking when a player crosses the opposition’s goal line with place over one huge weekend in early March. It was an possession of the ball. exciting warm up for the Protect Victoria Wheelchair Rugby Despite its intensity, wheelchair rugby is a family friendly Cup which starts later in March. and accessible sport that both men and women can play. Thank you for being part of the fantastic sport of wheelchair The classification system allows players with a wide range of rugby and for the athletes that continue to demonstrate that functionality to compete on a level playing field. disability is no barrier to a positive life through sport. Exciting for both players and spectators alike, it incorporates To the parents, volunteers and fans who make it possible elements of several sports including ice hockey style checking, for the players to get on court, and whose love of the game the ball movement of basketball, the scoring of rugby and the makes each competition so memorable: without you, there use of a volleyball. would be no sport. We look forward to the 2019 season of wheelchair rugby For more information on classification and the basic rules of being the best yet. the game, turn to the back of this guide.

Richard Amon CEO - Disability Sport & Recreation 2019 wheelchair rugby teams 2019 wheelchair rugby teams

Box Hill No. Player Class Power House No. Player Class Wheelchair Rugby 3 1.0* Wheelchair Rugby 3 Josh Hose 3.0 4 0.5 4 Kadir Faki 2.0 6 Tomas Klein 3.5 5 Christian Brackley 0.5 7 Antonio Vecchio (C) 2.0 6 Andrew Harrison (C) 2.0 8 Matt Ingram 2.0 7 1.0 9 Jack Watson 3.0

Harlequin No. Player Class Unicorns No. Player Class Wheelchair Rugby 1 Jason Ellerey (C) 2.0 Wheelchair Rugby 1 Sean Corcoran 0.5 2 Anthony Gray 0.5 2 Bryce Alman 2.0 3 Shane Brand 1.5 4 Jayden Warn 3.0 5 Rhys Morton 2.0 5 Shae Graham 2.5* 6 Matt Lewis 3.5 6 (C) 0.5

*Female player. Team receives an additional 0.5 allocation on court. 2019 Protect Victoria Wheelchair Rugby Cup fixture 2019 Protect Victoria Wheelchair Rugby Cup fixture 2019 wheelchair rugby 2019 wheelchair rugby captains’ profiles captains’ profiles

Captain: Andrew Harrison Captain: Antonio Vecchio Team: Power House Team: Box Hill Date of birth: 7 June, 1987 Date of birth: 26 Aug, 1985 Classification: 2.0 Classification: 2.0 Picking up wheelchair rugby in Taking up the sport in 2006, it 2005, Andrew was selected for didn’t take long for Antonio to the Victorian state side in 2007. grab the Victorian selectors’ The same year, he was named eyes, earning a spot in the rookie of the year. He is now a state squad in 2007. The next dual gold medal Paralympian, step for Antonio was the green taking home the top prize at and gold which he donned for the 2012 London and 2016 Rio the first time in 2010. Paralympic Games.

Captain: Jason Ellery Captain: Nazim Erdem Team: Harlequins Team: Unicorns Date of birth: 30 May, 1986 Date of birth: 1 August, 1970 Classification: 2.0 Classification: 0.5 After a snowboarding accident in A veteran of the sport, Naz 2011 left Jason in a wheelchair, began playing in 1992, and he took up wheelchair rugby debuted for Australia in 1999. as part of his rehab and hasn’t Naz has competed at five looked back. Debuting for Paralympic Games, winning the Steelers in 2013, Jason two gold (London 2012, Rio was a part of the Australian 2016) and two silver medals team that won its first world (Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008). championship gold medal at the A daredevil off the court, Naz 2014 World Wheelchair Rugby was the first person with a Championships in Denmark. spinal cord injury to paraglide solo and participate in the Targa Tasmania car rally. Rules Classification Wheelchair rugby is played on a regulation 28 x 15m basketball Wheelchair rugby players have a disability which affects arms and court with key areas at the end lines and 8m-wide goal line marked legs. Every player is classified based on their disability is given a by cones. Teams consist of up to 12 players: four players on court, points value ranging from 0.5 (lowest) to 3.5 (highest). with the maximum on-court classification points totalling 8.0. The following is a very basic description of each class level and A goal is scored when two wheels of a player’s wheelchair cross what the role would be in a wheelchair rugby team. the goal line while in possession and in control of the ball. A team has 40 seconds to score once the ball goes into play. Class 0.5 = Main role is as blocker, not a major ball handler. Bats ball using “underhand volleyball pass” for longer range pass or for Players with the ball are not permitted to touch the floor with any shorter range pass uses “scoop pass” with the ball forward to the part of their body or wheelchair (except for wheels and anti-tip side uses a two-hand toss. device), and a player must dribble or pass the ball at least once every 10 seconds. Class 1.0 = Blocker, may in-bound ball, not a major ball handler. Forearm or wrist catch, and weak chest pass or forearm pass. If your team has the ball, you cannot remain in the opposition’s key area for more than 10 seconds and if you get control of the ball in Class 1.5 = Blocker and also may be occasional ball handler. your back court area, your team has 12 seconds to advance the Increased shoulder strength and stability allows for more effective ball to your front court. The ball cannot return to your back court and efficient pushing ball handling skills. (the exception being if the opposition touches the ball).

The ball must stay in-bounds. A player is determined if he is in- Class 2.0 = Increasing role as ball handler, as strong and stable bounds by his four wheels. shoulders allows for good pushing speed on court. Effective chest pass with control over moderate distance, but limited ball security Each team has 4 x player time-outs and 2 x coach time-outs. Either against defense during passing. team may call for a time-out when the ball is dead. When the ball is in play, only the team with possession can call it. If a time-out is Class 2.5 = Ball handler and fairly fast playmaker with good pushing called due to equipment malfunction (burst tyres are common), the speed. Functional grip is used to advantage on the pushrim when affected team has one minute to correct the problem. challenged. Often can perform one-handed overhead pass, but limited accuracy and distance because of finger strength. Some of the fouls a referee may call during a game: Charging, Four-in-the-Key, Leaving the Court, Holding, Pushing, Contact- Class 3.0 = Very good ball handler and fast playmaker, gripping Before-Whistle, Out-and-In, Illegal-Use-of-Hands, Spinning. There wheelchair rim increasing pushing speed. May have some trunk are also technical fouls and offending players can lose possession control giving better stability and with function in fingers, can control of the ball, serve time in the penalty box or be disqualified. ball in varying planes of movement for passing, dribbling, catching and protecting the ball.

Class 3.5 = Often primary ball handler and fastest playmaker. Because of hand and trunk function, usually has excellent ball control with controlled one hand passing for distance and excellent ball security during passing and receiving. Thanks to all the sponsors, supporters and fans of Victorian wheelchair rugby

Love wheelchair rugby? Stay up to date with more information and match results at dsr.org.au