PEOPLE in Pembrokeshire wishing to play one of the most physically demanding wheelchair sports in the World can now do so after the Scarlets Wheelchair Rugby Club was recently launched at Pembrokeshire College.

Simon Gardiner represented the Scarlets together with Darren Carew the Disability Rugby Coordinator for the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

Angela Miles, Disability Sport Development Officer for Pembrokeshire welcomed the guests and gave an overview of the journey the club had been on.

Also known as ‘murderball’ due to the physical nature of the full-contact sport, Wheelchair Rugby was one of the biggest hits at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

First played in Pembrokeshire in 2015, the sport grew following a couple of taster sessions organised by Sport Pembrokeshire.

Evaluation from the events proved the need for a club in Pembrokeshire and the seeds were sown for the sport to grow.

Angela Miles said this was only possible through the development of partnerships.

“If it wasn’t for the help of Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby and that of Scarlets Rugby it’s unlikely we would be celebrating the launch of the Scarlets Wheelchair Rugby Club here in Pembrokeshire.

“With their help we’ve been able to raise significant sums of money to buy some of the specific wheelchairs needed for this dynamic disability sport although we are only half way there at the moment so there is still some way to go before we get a full complement of chairs.

“We are also very grateful to Pembrokeshire College for having a facility to store the chairs and to the William Brownhill Trust for their donation to help the club grow.

“Without their help and support we wouldn’t be able to introduce this high octane sport to Pembrokeshire.”

Businesses or individuals wanting to know how they can contribute to the growth of Wheelchair Rugby in Pembrokeshire can find out more by contacting Angela Miles on 07920 213651.