“You’re not disabled – you’re just a team-mate”

An exciting opportunity to try a truly inclusive form of rugby will be offered in Glasgow this weekend – wheelchair rugby 7s.If this sounds like something that is for you, you could soon be representing Scotland in a Six Nations competition.Wheelchair rugby 7s is played indoors on two basketball courts, the wheelchairs specially adapted to take contact, and unlike conventional 7s is played over 80 minutes with only three substitutions permitted.The sport is open to both disabled and non-disabled people, male and female of any age, with passing and catching key to the game.Adam Mould is the founder of Glasgow Panthers, Scotland’s only wheelchair rugby 7s club, and is the driving force behind moves to establish a Scotland national team.Adam, 52, is a former martial arts instructor who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy six years ago.He is a wheelchair user and talks about the inclusivity of wheelchair rugby 7s; referencing his team Glasgow Panthers who have boys and girls, males and females, of all abilities taking part.This weekend we are looking for people with chair skills, ability to move off the ball, have spatial awareness and be able to pass and catch the ball. It doesn’t matter if they are disabled or able-bodied.”Mould added: “They may have had a background in rugby and be rehabbing an injury at the moment and my advice to them would be come along, play, and join our try-outs.”He also ensures that attendees will be shown how the chair works and reiterates that everyone is welcome.The best thing about wheelchair rugby 7s for me? You are not classified as disabled. When you play wheelchair rugby 7s, you’re just a team-mate.”The try-outs will take place at Hub Sports, 39 Wellhouse Crescent, Easterhouse, Glasgow G33 4HG between 12 noon and 4pm on Sunday (2 October).Coaches from England – including the head wheelchair rugby 7s coach of England, Martin Beddis – Ireland, and Wales will be present, and Adam says plans are being advanced to create a Six Nations wheelchair rugby 7s tournament which could be staged in Glasgow in 2018.If you’d like further information on wheelchair rugby 7s, attend the try-outs or contact Adam by email: [email protected]