Author: halifaxwheelchairrugbyleague

The Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre at UCLAN, Preston hosted the opening event of the 2023 Wheelchair Rugby League Season when sixteen teams converged in West Lancashire for the annual; and traditional 4s completion.

Teams are reduced from five to four-a-side and play twenty minutes, one way in a fast, frantic and fun competition aimed at giving teams a pre-season hit out and as much game time as possible.  The morning session featured eleven teams from the Betfred Championship, travelling tune length and breadth of England to participate.

Woodlands Warriors came from Kent and competed with the powerhouses of Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Widnes Vikings and Sheffield Eagles.  It was wonderful to see the famous names of Hull Kingston Rovers and Salford Red Devils making their first appearances in the Wheelchair game and enjoying success on the playing field.

The afternoon session so the tempo and intensity increase as the Betfred Super League teams entreated the arena and fired the opening salvos of the year.  Defending champions Halifax Panthers looked ominous and intend to be at the top again in 23.  Wigan Warriors will make them work hard and clearly showed their intent with fierce performances against those who might challenge the established order.

Hull FC, Warrington Wolves and London Roosters used the competition as an opportunity to give everyone a run and, in some cases, taste the high octane Super League game fro the first time.

All is set fair for Round One of the Betfred Wheelchair RL Super League next week in Gillingham, Wigan and Warrington

Report: Halifax Panthers’ new Development Team’s first Game away vs Rochdale Hornets Wheelchair RLC, Sunday 26 February 2023.

This game came about because of the boost interest in playing our game after the England world

cup win and Halifax winning the Grand Final in 2022, both being televised.

Both teams held a minute’s silence in memory of Zak Dewhurst who was to have been the team’s coach.

Tom Green scored the first ever development try with debutant Joe Calcott then scoring 3 more in quick time, with his style emulating that of his older brother Jack Brown.

Rochdale soon got into the pace of the game too, with the half time score being Rochdale 10 Halifax 38.

However, come the second half, Halifax monopolised possession and junior Tom Robinson scored his first ever tries with a brace. Jordan Holt a former dual registered Rochdale player finished with 5 and Tom Green 3 with 4 conversions from Calcott and Jordan with 5 as the game finished:

Full Time Score; Rochdale 26 Halifax 66

We are pleased to announce that a new sponsor has been secured for Halifax Panthers Wheelchair Rugby League Club, in ACL Industrial Flooring.

They will be the 2023 Leisure wear sponsors and Principle sponsors for 2024, and 2025.

Our Chair Donna Turner said “ we appreciate their support so much, which will help us expand our club with the creation of a development team and have more venue hours. Training will not only be at our historic base of Calderdale College on a Thursday evenings 7-9pm starting 2nd March, but at Sedbergh Leisure centre, Bradford, primarily for the super league team to train and play on a full size surface. “

Halifax Wheelchair Rugby League Club are running more ‘TRY IT’ Sessions in 2023.
Venue: Calderdale College , Inspire Sports Hall. Please book in your attendance with Malcolm Kielty 07946510900 or malcolm.kielty@outlook.com

Dates
2023 ( All School Holidays )
Thursday 16 th February 6pm till 7pm
Thursday 13 th April 6pm till 7pm
Thursday 1 st June 6pm till 7pm

Full Squad Training

The full squad starts on Thursday March 2nd, 7pm till 9pm and every Thursday thereafter
7pm till 9pm. Head Coach Wayne Boardman , England World Cup winner.

Halifax Panthers Wheelchair Rugby League Club is an integral part of the Halifax Panthers Rugby League family. As well as being one of wheelchair sport’s most successful teams, the club also has close links with the community in Calderdale.

For the first team, the last ten years have seen a number of successes, including a league championship, two wins in Grand Finals, three Challenge Cup victories and a European Championship. Twice they have done the Grand-final, Challenge Cup double.

For the first time, during the 2023 season we will be running a Development squad. It’s open to anyone. If you’re interested, please get in touch with Malcolm Kielty on malcolm.kielty@outlook.com and he’ll fill you in on the details.

Our 2023 kit and sponsors have been released and we’re really pleased with the new look for the new year.

We’d like to thank all our sponsors for helping the club to grow and look forward to sharing a very successful 2023 with them..

Playing Kit

The playing shirt, above, features the following:

Robert Lees    Main Sponsor
Robert Wade Cars   Shirt Rear
Chris Green ; Volunteer Arms   Shirt sleeve
Calderdale Community Coaching Trust    Shirt Sleeve

Leisure Kit

The new Leisure kit sponsor is ACL Industrial Flooring

We will also in season 2023 run a Development squad. ANYONE who wishes to join / have a go get in touch with Malcolm Kielty on malcolm.kielty@outlook.com for details.

If you’ve been inspired by England’s World cup triumph, you can give Wheelchair Rugby Leage a try in Halifax – sessions start Monday 28th November, are entirely free and are open to everyone.

Booking
Please book a session before turning up. Call Malcolm Kielty on 07946510900 or email with your preferred date/s and he will get back to you on availability: malcolm.kielty@outlook.com

Introduction to Wheelchair Rugby League – Download & Read a guide to the sport

Report: Roosters 42: Halifax Panthers 54
Venue: Medway Park

Part of a Festival in Kent, the last game of the season was a great game between two teams who have enjoyed close encounters all year and this was no different. The panthers started well with Wayne Boardman and Rob Hawkins in control and pushing the lead out to 18 points with some clever play in the first quarter. Jason Owen enjoyed a purple patch for the Roosters with innovative kicking and scored a quick fire hat trick to drag the Roosters back in to the game. Failing to capitalize, the

Roosters lost momentum and Halifax dominated the second quarter and racked up a 14-36 lead at half time. The Roosters rallied in the second half and enjoyed periods of dominance, but never quite catching up with the lead. Jack Linden scored a great individual try, reminiscent of NRL flying wingers before he capped off a great team effort where all players handled twice before he scored on the hooter. It was in vain as Fax had been too good and enjoyed a two score lead throughout and will face Wigan at home in two weeks whilst the Roosters will travel to Leeds

Home Team Coach Tom Coyd said ‘We are pleased with our effort today and learned that we can match anyone on the day. We play knockout football next time around and, with a couple of key players returning, have much to build on from this game

Away Team Coach Wayne Board said ‘We got the job done today. All six of our travelling players had a role to play and they made it work. The Roosters gave us a game and we enjoyed the match, executed our plays and put ourselves in a good place for a home semi final

Halifax Panthers Nathan Mulhall and Zak Dewhirst were up at Ryburn Valley High School last week, running wheelchair rugby sessions Year 7 pupils.

Any other school who wishes to receive this form of rugby league can email malcolm.kielty@outlook.com