NSW Wheelchair Rugby League player Brad Grove has embarked on a 1,000km fundraising push to provide training, competitions and equipment for junior Wheelchair Rugby League players.
Grove wants to raise $10,000 for his ‘Push Your Limits’ drive and has accumulated just over $3,400 in donations so far since starting in November last year.
That’s enough to provide 30 hours of court time for wheelchair players, but Grove isn’t stopping there. He is out to restore and promote the active and healthy lifestyles for the Wheelchair Rugby League community, which has been disrupted by two years of COVID restrictions.
Grove also wants to encourage more juniors to get engaged in the sport. Wheelchair Rugby League is a mixture of able-bodied players and those with a disability on the same team making it one of the most inclusive sports in Australia.
Grove is averaging 20km a week on top of his training and playing commitments with the Canberra Raiders wheelchair team.
His epic 1,000km challenge will finish two weeks out from the first wheelchair game, which this year is part of the 2022 Rugby League World Cup schedule. Grove played at the 2013 and 2017 Wheelchair World Cups.
Click here to support Grove in his ‘Push Your Limits’ project.
Grove was one of six NSW Blues named in the preliminary 12-strong Wheelaroos squad to represent Australia at the World Cup in the UK.
The other five NSW players are father and son duo Craig and Cannane (St George Illawarra), Liam Luff (Eels), Rick Engles (Dragons), and Diab Karim (Raiders).
Wheelaroos head coach Brett Clark named the squad following the January State of Origin match at Liverpool in Sydney won 50-30 by Queensland. NSW coach Edie George is assistant coach.
Parramatta’s Jason Attard, who was NSW Blues co-captain with Craig Cannane, has been named 13th man, or ‘shadow’ player in the event of an injury.
The Australian Wheelchair Rugby League squad has held its first camp in the Hawkesbury region as they fire up their preparation for the 2022 World Cup. The Wheelaroos won Bronze in 2017 defeating Italy 58-45.
“These camps are great opportunities to work off the success of the State of Origin and get the team focused on being ready to represent our sport on the world stage,” Clark said.
“Our sport in Australia has grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years, with new faces making the Wheelaroos team and more opportunities to showcase the hard work of all our players and volunteers across the country.
“I truly believe that the team selected represents a turning point for Wheelchair Rugby League in Australia.”
England, France, Norway, Scotland, Spain, Wales and the USA, will join Australia in the eight-nation World Cup in November this year.
