Annual Wheelchair Sporting Events in the UK

According to the latest research carried out by the Papworth Trust, it is believed that there are over 1.2 million wheelchair users in the United Kingdom. Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the number of sporting events that are specially created to include wheelchair users from the UK and the rest of the world. In this article you will find a description of the main wheelchair sporting events that take place every year in the United Kingdom.

Wheelchair Sports Spectacular

Wheelchair Sports Spectacular is organised every year by Disability Sport Wales, which is also known as the Federation of Disability Sports in Wales. The celebration of this annual event is also supported by Sport Cardiff, a department that depends on Cardiff Council. This two-day event is the only one of its kind in Wales and one of the most popular in the United Kingdom. Wheelchair Sports Spectacular was created ten years ago with the objective of giving wheelchair users an opportunity to discover all the sports available to them, whether it is at competitive or amateur level. During the last edition of this event, more than 15 sports were on offer, including archery, ice hockey, table tennis, polybat, shooting, golf, rugby, and basketball, among many others.

Usually, Wheelchair Sports Spectacular takes place during the month of May. Advance bookings are required for all participants, whether they are individuals or teams. The organisers can be contacted using the form available at http://www.wheelchairsportsspectacular.co.uk/contactus.html

Wheelchair Tennis Single Masters Series

This event has been organised since 1994 with the support of the International Tennis Federation. The Wheelchair Tennis Single Masters Series is the last event of the season for professional wheelchair tennis players, and is one of the most renowned wheelchair sporting events at international level. The next series will take place in London at the end of November 2014, as the organisers have secured the rights to use the spectacular Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre as the venue. The event will last for four days and it will welcome an elite team of wheelchair tennis players. For more information on this world class event, contact the organisers at their London headquarters in 49-60 Borough Road, SE1 1DR, London, or send them an e-mail to mail@itf.org.uk

Wheelchair Rugby League

Wheelchair rugby is unique in that it is the only full contact wheelchair sport. The Wheelchair Rugby World Cup is a highly anticipated event at which British teams have excelled during the past few editions. The World Cup is contested by the national teams of Wales, Scotland, England, Ireland, Australia, and France, and in 2013 England had the additional privilege of hosting the event at Medway Park, in Gillingham, Kent. The most popular events of the Wheelchair Rugby League are the World Cup semi-finals and finals, which take place during the month of July. To find out more details about next year's edition, you may contact the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation through the contact form on their main website.

British Wheelchair Athletics Association Grand Prix

The BWAA Grad Prix takes place annually during the summer months. In 2013, this first-class sporting event will be held at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium, located in Buckinghamshire. The Grand Prix welcomes athletes who are preparing to take part in the World Championship in five different sporting disciplines: javelin, pentathlon, club, shot, and discus. The latest event of the BWAA 2013 Grand Prix will take place on 7th and 8th September. To receive further information about this event, contact the organisers by sending an e-mail to guildco2@aol.com or barbarahoole@hotmail.com.

Para Triathlon World Championships

The annual Para Triathlon World Championship is organised by the International Triathlon Union. The 2013 edition of this challenging event will take place in Hyde Park, London, between the 11th and the 15th September. The event is open to wheelchair athletes from all over the world, who will have to compete in a demanding race that entails swimming for 750 metres, running for 5 kilometres, and completing a bicycle ride of 20 kilometres, either as a tandem or with a handcycle. Spectators can request more information from the London Triathlon Organisation by e-mailing Ms Ria Davies at ria.davies@upsolut.co.uk, whereas athletes must contact the British Triathlon Federation by calling 07739 526 565 or e-mailing Jonathon Riall at jonathonriall@britishtriathlon.org.

Sainsbury's UK School Games

The Sainsbury's UK School Games are a four-day event aimed to showcase the skills of the best school-age wheelchair basketball talents in the country. This years' event will be held in Sheffield between the 12th and the 15th of September, where a select group of players will represent the teams of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England (North, South, and Central). Enquiries can be sent to Ms Hollie Smith on h.smith@gbwba.org.uk or by calling the British Basketball Wheelchair Association on 01509 279900.