"I"ve been playing rugby for 12 years, but murderball opened my eyes to a ...

For the last 12 years I’ve been turning out for Pontyclun RFC, playing 15-a-side rugby, sevens rugby, touch rugby… but I’ve never played rugby like this.

When I was invited along to a training session with the South Wales Pirates Wheelchair Rugby team, I didn’t know what to expect. All I’d seen were the videos on YouTube and, to be honest, it made me pretty nervous.

When the sport was introduced back in 1976, it was given the name Murderball, which only added to my feeling of trepidation.

The session began with some passing, progressed to some slalom races and I was wondering what I’d been so worried about.

That’s when we went into a game.

It’s four-a-side, played on a basketball court and there’s no hiding place.

I managed to get through the first few minutes relatively unscathed, and when coach Paul Jenkins called for a water break I had barely scratched the surface of the sport in all honesty.

It was at that point he said: “Hang on, Matt, you haven’t been hit yet have you?”

Video: What it’s like to play wheelchair rugby

 

“No, not really,” I reluctantly replied.

“Dave, come and put a hit on Matt.”

Imagine my surprise when suddenly here comes Dave Anthony, who represented Team GB at London 2012, baring down on me.

I’m a sitting duck on half-court when the coach tells me to try and score, in layman’s terms, to try and get past him.

Let’s face it, I never had a chance.

The feeling I got just before Dave careered into the side of me was similar to the feeling I get when I’m about tackle a 6ft 4in second row who has four stone on me – I’m not really sure how much it’s going to hurt, but it’s happening whether I like it or not.

With a loud bang I took a hit from a Paralympian and then I realised, that didn’t hurt, in fact it was quite enjoyable!

From that point on I began to understand the game a bit more and it was enjoyable, competitive and one serious workout.

That one collision turned into a 30-second one-on-one between myself and Dave, but no matter how hard I pushed he cut me off at every turn.

Dave Anthony competed at London 2012 for Team GB

Now consider this, the majority of the players are tetraplegic and only use around 10% of their body muscles and, despite the fact I have full use of all my muscles, David had me collared.

By the end of the session I was sweating pretty heavily, I’ll never again underestimate the physical exertion required to play the sport. A few hours later, my arms and shoulders knew they’d had a beasting.

I think it’s important to point out – regardless of it’s original name, the loud noises and no matter how violent the collisions look – you won’t get hurt in this sport.

The adapted wheelchairs have casters on the back to prevent you falling backwards and there is protection around the front of the chair that act as bumpers.

But it’s not all about collisions and speed, you’ve got to think your way around the court if you’re going to be successful in this sport, as London 2012 Paralympian Anthony explained.

“My favourite thing about the sport is smashing people,” he smiled.

“But there’s more to it than that, you do have to block and pick your way through, you also have to try and stop the other team scoring, so it’s important to work out where you’re meant to be.”

By working as a team you can set up blocks and free up space for your teammates and that’s the part of the game that totally bamboozled me.

The session began with some fitness work

There were times I thought an opponent had nowhere to go, suddenly they’d shoot up the court and, despite the glue on my gloves to enhance my grip on the wheels, they’d left me both in their wake and wondering how on earth we’d just conceded a point.

Like many amateur clubs, funding is an issue with the Pirates, or lack of it, to be more precise.

A basic starter chair costs £3,000 and some chairs can cost up to £6,000. The only funding the club gets is from doing bucket collections at supermarkets and sponsorship from local businesses, but given the current financial climate that kind of sponsorship can be hard to come by.

It’s an uphill struggle.

Since the London 2012 Paralympics, the number of teams in the UK have increased from eight to 15, which goes to show what that kind of exposure can do for a sport like wheelchair rugby.

Amanda Thomas, who is the regional development officer for Wales amp; South West England, has been involved in wheelchair rugby for seven years and drew similarities between the Pirates and rugby clubs up and down the country.

And, from what I experienced, I’m inclined to agree.

“Everybody is welcome, whether they want to come along and play or volunteer, it’s an open door,” she said.

“It’s very much a rugby family, it’s a great social circle.

“The season starts in November and goes through to May and the Pirates train every Tuesday morning at Llantrisant Leisure Centre.”

The Pirates warm down after the session

Coach Jenkins has been involved with the club since 1989 and was one of the players who introduced the sport to the Paralympics in 1996, when the game was a demonstration sport in Atlanta.

He’s been coaching for eight years and when I was chatting to him afterwards I asked him why he’d stayed involved in the sport.

“You’ve tried it,” he said with a big grin.

That’s all he needed to say, and at that point I’d realised how daft my question was. Even after spending just two hours at a training session it’s easy to see why he’d stay involved. It’s a great sport.

When I left the Active Living Centre in Newport, who look after the Pirates brilliantly it must be said, I wondered why more people aren’t getting involved.

Perhaps people don’t know it’s happening, perhaps some are a little apprehensive.

I was told by three different people that once somebody has a go at wheelchair rugby, they’ll be hooked. And, after spending some time with the Pirates, it’s easy to see why that is the case.

COMING UP – The TREAT Trust Cup, a wheelchair rugby tournament with teams from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales competing for the Cup and also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the South Wales Pirates Wheelchair Rugby team. It takes place at the LC Swansea on September 27-28, and has free entry. For more details, Twitter @GBWRwales and Facebook.

There is also another taster session at the Active Living Centre in Newport on August 31 (3pm-6pm).

Article source: http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/9334898/new-zealand-v-england-david-wilson-happy-with-underdog-tag

"I"ve been playing rugby for 12 years, but murderball opened my eyes to a ...