The 2023 Betfred Wheelchair Super League season is officially underway, and the sport aims to build on the attention it received during last year’s Rugby League World Cup. With the tournament being placed on an equal footing with the men’s and women’s competitions, wheelchair players and teams from around the world, it has captivated audiences and culminated with host nation England winning the final.
Mike Swinger, Hull FC’s head coach and a player himself, has been involved in coaching wheelchair rugby league for a decade and has long known about the sport’s qualities. He is delighted that the World Cup showcased these and now sees an upswell in interest for the Black and Whites’ team. Swainger emphasizes that wheelchair rugby league is fully inclusive, and players of all ages and abilities, both disabled and able-bodied, compete on an equal playing field.
Wheelchair rugby league combines the gladiatorial and skill aspects of the running game, making it an attractive sport for rugby league fans. The sport also removes barriers and creates opportunities, which Swainger has always been about. Without wheelchair rugby league, he says there is nothing he would be interested in sport-wise or capable of doing.
With wheelchair teams, both Hull FC and cross-city Betfred Super League rivals Hull Kingston Rovers provide more chances for rugby league fans in one of the sport’s significant hotbeds who cannot participate in the running game. The Betfred Wheelchair Super League’s top teams, however, are currently based in Halifax, 72 miles down the M62, where the Halifax Panthers began the 2023 domestic season as the defending champions after ousting Leeds Rhinos with a 52-48 victory in the Grand Final the previous year.
The Panthers, founding members of the Super League, have won five Challenge Cup championships and four league championships. The West Yorkshire town has a long history of success in rugby league’s running game. But currently, it is the wheelchair team making waves in the sport, and one of the players who helped England to World Cup glory in 2022, Rob Hawkins, is proud of the sacrifices he and his teammates have made, which are now paying off.
Hawkins says it feels good to see the team progress, but it’s not just him putting in the hard work. The team has had to sacrifice, such as giving up weekends away. The Panthers have to keep playing their game consistently and calmly, maintaining the level of respect they had last season. If they do that, they can come out with the trophy again.
Halifax’s effort to defend its Wheelchair Super League championship ended severely over the weekend as they lost 59-45 against Wigan Warriors. But, they are motivated in 2023 by a desire to pay tribute to assistant coach and former member of the Halifax reserve squad Zak Dewhirst after his passing in February at the age of 27. Hawkins says that Dewhirst was an outstanding member of the team who helped them a lot last season with his running game experience. He put his advice in, and they took it well. The group aims to win, but they want to celebrate Dewhirst’s life for the time they knew him.
Hull FC lost to the London Roosters 64-42 in their opening game of the new season. They will now host them on April 1. Swainger’s team aims to build on a 2022 campaign that saw them reach the Super League playoffs, where they were eventually knocked out in the semi-finals.
Looking ahead to the upcoming match against London Roosters, Swainger said, “We know we have a tough challenge ahead of us, but we’ve been working hard in training and are confident that we can put in a strong performance. Our focus is on playing to our strengths and making sure we execute our game plan.”
Swainger also spoke about the importance of mental preparation for his players, saying, “We always emphasize the importance of mental toughness and staying focused, especially in high-pressure situations. We have a talented group of players, but it’s important that they remain calm and composed under pressure.”
Hull FC will look to improve from their opening defeat and secure their first win of the new season. The team will be counting on the support of their fans as they take on London Roosters at their home.