Fans worldwide will be able to catch all the action broadcast live on www.sportscanada.tv

At a gala opening ceremony last night in Richmond, B.C, the BC Wheelchair Sports Association, the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association and the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation officially welcomed the world for the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships. The competition begins on Tuesday 21st September, and Sport Canada TV will be broadcasting every game live to wheelchair rugby fans across the world. 

The twelve competing nations include: Canada (2002 World Champions), New Zealand (2004 Paralympic Champions), USA (2008 Paralympic Champions) and Australia (2010 Coupe Canada Cup holders), who will be joined by Japan, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Great Britain, Poland, Finland and Argentina. 

“The Richmond Oval is an incredible sporting venue and we are looking forward to bringing it to life once again with world-class international competition,” said Laurel Crosby, chair of the organizing committee for the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships. “With ticket sales to many games reaching capacity, the atmosphere at the Oval promises to be electric. Broadcasting live over the internet will allow us to share the excitement with the fans of all the competing teams.” 

Wheelchair rugby fans are no strangers to following their teams and demonstrating their support online. In the past few weeks, fans have been able to follow the athletes’ preparation in video profiles and blogs posted on the tournament website. A series of web commercials is not only allowing fans to promote the event, they are also helping to raise funds. For every view of the spots, titled “Push,” “Strap Up” and “Build Up,” Coloplast Canada is making a donation to the Canadian wheelchair rugby team. 

Tournament organizers have also provided fans with the opportunity to tap into their own creativity and share their passion for the sport with two online contests. 

Steve Gerecke, of Ottawa, Ontario, won a free trip for two to Vancouver in the Hunt for the Ultimate Wheelchair Rugby Super Fan Competition. Gerecke’s photo entry of a wheelchair rugby player posed as a gladiator amassed a whopping 75% of all votes cast. During halftime of the first game, tournament organizers will also be announcing the winner of the Vesco Heavy Hits competition, which allowed fans to submit video footage of their greatest wheelchair rugby crashes for a chance to win a prize package worth $275. 

The tournament will begin with Canada taking on Great Britain at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday 21st September to a sold out crowd. 

About wheelchair rugby 

Wheelchair rugby is a team sport for male and female quadriplegics. The physically demanding full-contact team sport is played indoors on a hardwood basketball court between two teams of four players. It is a unique sport that combines some elements of basketball, handball, and ice hockey, and was created in Canada in 1977 by a group of athletes with a disability in Manitoba. 


About the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships 

The 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships are taking place at the Richmond Olympic Oval from September 21-26. The tournament will feature teams from 12 countries, including Canada (2002 World Champions), New Zealand (2004 Paralympic Champions), USA (2008 Paralympic Champions) and Australia (2010 Coupe Canada Cup holders). Also competing are Japan, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Great Britain, Poland, Finland and Argentina. 

For the full competition schedule, visit www.2010wwrc.com. Tickets will be available at the door. You can also follow the tournament on Twitter: @2010wwrc and Facebook "2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships." 

The commercials can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/2010wwrc