SPACE Physio helps Scottish Sport I - Wheelchair Rugby League

Recently @Spaceclinics physio Ross Mayberry travelled into new territory, working with the Wheelchair Rugby League Scotland team on their bid for World Cup success!

Here are some of his thoughts on operating in a new sporting environment: as  always, physios are encouraged by SPACE to work in areas that can be outwith their comfort zones, and comlement their current range of skills!

"After arriving and familiarizing myself with the squad and staff, Scotland faced the defeated finalists from the last World Cup, Australia, in their opening group match at the Medway Centre in Chatham, Kent. I have to say the staff and volunteers here were excellent and were doing their best to address all the teams issues, and requirements.

I have to say it’s been a steep learning curve for me, getting to know the characters in the squad, their personalities, disabilities and injuries, but a mutual love for 1980’s classic movie “Big Trouble in Little China”, and the fortunes of the British & Irish Lions, seemed to be a point of common ground, and may have helped with team bonding. Apart from getting to know the the team I have also been learning about Wheelchair Rugby League (different from the more well known “Murderball”).

The sport was invented by a French Rugby League player in 2004, and more resembles the Rugby as we know, than “Murderball”. The key differences between the sports being Murderball allows forward passing and uses a round ball, where Rugby League involves lateral/back passes only, using a size 4 Rugby ball, though you are allowed a forward “kick”. There are 5 players on the pitch for each team and as with regular rugby league you have 5 tackles to try and score a try. A tackle is made by tearing a bit of cloth off your opponents arm, or by physically bringing them to a stand-still. The sport is surprisingly dynamic and fast moving, with collision inevitable. 

This link demonstrates these attributes in a recent 'friendly' between France and Australia.

Anybody interested in following how the tournament progressed can find all the information they need on this link http://www.rlfowc2013.com/article/9603/wheelchair-world-cup-draw-and and all the information they need about the Scottish team on Scottish Rugby League website http://scotlandrl.com/ or follow them on facebook https://www.facebook.com/scotlandrl"

Ross hopes that this recent experience with the wheelchair game might lead to further opportunities of working with the squad, and he enjoyed even participating in training! With SPACE at Dalry being wheelchair accessible, we look forward to seeing just how well the boinding went when we welcome some of the players to Inner SPACE in order for Ross to continue his excellent recent work!