The Melbourne Invitational tipped off the first weekend of wheelchair rugby on the calendar for 2024, with Caroline Springs Leisure Centre playing host to five National League teams and athletes from across the country.
As the Australian Steelers were preparing for their Paralympic Qualifier in New Zealand, this presented a huge opportunity for some of the newer and inexperienced players to take ownership of their team and show what they are made of! This also allowed them to secure their spot ahead of National League Rounds 2 and 3 in Brisbane and Sydney respectively.
As the Division 1 teams battled it out to take top spot after Round 1, we also witnessed a first for the National League event, with Division 2 matches taking place on the second court right next door! This provided a platform for newer athletes to receive plenty of court time and learn the tactics behind the exhilarating sport of wheelchair rugby. The opening day saw a record number of spectators, with over 250 students from local schools in attendance to cheer on our Victorian teams, Box Hill and Melbourne Unicorns.
The Gold Medal Match It was between Bond University and Sydney University was goal for goal right up until the final siren.
Bond University proved too strong in overtime, forcing turnovers and ultimately coming away with their inaugural first placed win at a National League tournament.
In the Bronze Medal Match Queensland University emerged as the winners after a tight battle with the leading Victorian team, Box Hill. WA-based star, Robyn Lambird put on a dominant display representing Box Hill over the weekend, linking up well with Australian Steeler, Shae Graham, to push last year’s champions deep into the final seconds of the match.
Box Hill’s Coach, Andrew Harrison, said “I’m extremely proud of this entire team, the work and effort every single player has put into this weekend has been amazing”.
“We are all looking to build going into the next round. Let’s hope we can bring home some silverware”, Harrison concluded.
Division 1 Ladder – Melbourne Invitational
1. Bond University
2. Sydney University
3. University of QLD
4. Box Hill RUFC
5. Melbourne RUFC
Disability Sport & Recreation extends a huge thank you to Protect, Victorian State Government and City of Melton for supporting the event.
We can't wait to share all of the action from the Brisbane Bash Round 2, this weekend!
2024 Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championship
In May, the Victoria Protect Thunder Wheelchair Rugby team traveled to Adelaide to compete in the 2024 Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championship at the SA Netball Stadium.
Demonstrating exceptional skill and determination throughout the weekend, the team, coached by Andrew Harrison (Head Coach) and Jacob Walsh (Assistant Coach), and managed by Willeke Walsh (Team Manager), delivered a commendable performance on the court.
Victorian Protect Thunder Team List
Jersey | Name | Classification | State |
11 | Andrew HOLLOWAY | 3.5 | NSW |
2 | Jayden WARN | 3.0 | VIC |
4 | Shae GRAHAM | 2.5F | VIC |
9 | Park U-CHEOL | 2.0 | KOR |
7 | Tai MARTIN-PAGE | 1.5 | SA |
8 | Ben FAWCETT | 0.5 | VIC |
5 | Emilie MILLER | 0.5F | QLD |
After a full weekend of play, it all came down to the bronze medal match. Victoria Protect Thunder stayed neck-and-neck with the New Zealand Wheelblacks, led by Jayden Warn and Shae Graham. However, in a heart-stopping contest, Victoria Protect Thunder narrowly fell short, with the final score ending in favor of the NZ Wheelblacks, 45-44.
A special mention goes to Korean international Park U-Cheol, whose contributions both on and off the court were invaluable to the Victoria Protect Thunder team throughout the weekend.
Below is a recap of Victoria Protect Thunder's competition results:
Day 1:
Match 1: VIC Protect Thunder 41 vs Suncorp QLD Cyclones 60
The Victorian team was joined by international Park U-Cheol (KOREA) who provided a spark offensively in his national championship debut. However, it was not enough as the Suncorp Queensland Cyclones grabbed the victory 60-41, with a clinical display running multiple line-ups.
Match 2: VIC Protect Thunder 62 vs West Coast Enforcers 52
In the final game of the day, the well-oiled trio of AJ Holloway, Park U-Cheol, and Shae Graham proved too formidable for West Coast Enforcers, Western Australia with the Thunder emerging victorious with a score of 62-52.
Day 2:
Match 3: NZ Wheel Blacks 54 vs VIC Protect Thunder 49
A close contest saw New Zealand talisman Hayden Barton-Cootes and Cam Leslie ensure the Kiwi’s took the victory. South Australian Tai Martin Page was strong for Victoria as was Steeler Jayden Warn.
Match 4: NSW Gladiators 64 vs VIC Protect Thunder 50
In the final game of the pool stages, the Victorians looked to upset the yet to be defeated NSW Gladiators. Despite instrumental plays from Andrew Holloway for the Thunder, it was the cross-court action from international Davy van den Dop and James McQuillan that cemented NSW’s dominance with the Gladiators taking the win.
RESULTS:
Division 1:
Gold - NSW GLADIATORS
Silver - SUNCORP QLD CYCLONES
Bronze - NEW ZEALAND WHEELBLACKS
4th - VICTORIA PROTECT THUNDER
5th - WEST COAST ENFORCERS
Division 2:
Gold - SA SHARKS
Silver - QLD TORNADOES
Bronze - ACT BUCCANEER
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