Full on wheelchair contact

Link Centre hosted its first session of wheelchair rugby on Valentine's Day, but there was anything but love between the guys confined to armoured chairs speeding around the court and crashing into each other to obtain possession.

Popularity for the sport has soared since its inclusion at the 2000 Sydney Olympics but opportunities to play locally have been limited. Now members of the Welsh Wheelchair Rugby Association have received an 'Awards for All' grant to hold regular training sessions in Swindon and Bristol.

Keith Jones of the Pirates wheelchair rugby team described the game as 'chess with violence.' "It's a combination of rugby, basketball and volleyball; it looks rough but the players love it. We get the chance to develop skills and strength and employ tactics.

"Each player, apart from being in a wheelchair, has a points classification based on his or her upper body function. Teams can only field a certain number of points so that powerful players have to be matched with less able players which means the teams' strengths are balanced. It's very tactical to ensure you have the right players on court at the right time."

New players are welcome to learn the game and to find out when the next Link Centre sessions take place, call David Durston on 01285 6642390 or mail: d.durston@btopenworld.com