The European Wheelchair Rugby Championship, which reached its climax on Sunday, April 27, at Sportcampus Zuiderpark, not only brought top sport to The Hague, but also brought lasting changes to the city's inclusive sports offerings. On the final day of the tournament, it was announced that a wheelchair rugby team will be established in The Hague in the near future.
This initiative is the result of the joint efforts of Stichting Sportbelang Gehandicapten (SGK), Gehandicaptensport Nederland and tournament organizer Team TOC. With eight players already interested and SGK taking important steps in finding a permanent playing location, the creation of the team is well underway. The municipality of The Hague, a partner of the European Wheelchair Rugby Championship, supports this initiative. Gehandicaptensport Nederland is making sports wheelchairs and materials available, which together means a giant leap forward for the inclusive sports on offer in the municipality of The Hague.
Making a lasting impact
Willem Gallé, project leader of the EK Wheelchair Rugby on behalf of organizer Team TOC, emphasizes, "We want to make an impact with unique sports. That's what we did this time with the European Wheelchair Rugby Championship. We brought absolute top sport to The Hague, but there were also many social activations on the program. In cooperation with SGK and Gehandicaptensport Nederland, we provided clinics at various locations in the region. One of the most special legacies of this tournament is the establishment of a wheelchair rugby team in The Hague. There wasn't one yet, and thanks to the efforts of our partners, people in the region with physical disabilities can now become part of this special sport. And that is exactly what we are doing it for!"
Wheelchair rugby more accessible
Gehandicaptensport Nederland, as the sports association responsible for Wheelchair Rugby, is delighted that a new team is starting in The Hague, said Joep Pelsser, manager of top sports. "There had been no club in this densely populated region for several years, so athletes had to travel long distances to play, or even quit. Since the allocation of the European Wheelchair Rugby Championship to The Hague, we have worked hard with SGK and Team TOC to make this possible. A new wheelchair rugby team needs a lot of expensive rugby chairs, and we, in cooperation with other associations, will provide support so that the new team can get off to a good start. In addition, we will help train trainers and coaches."
Marc Pelkman, association support officer at SGK emphasizes the importance of a broad range of sports for people with disabilities. "The establishment of a Hague wheelchair rugby team is definitely going to make a big difference for people in the region! Seeing sports makes sports happen, that's one thing for sure. Earlier this week at the Sportcampus, in cooperation with the organizers of the European Championship, a multi-sport day was organized for people with muscular diseases, among other things. After their clinic, they also enjoyed a competition. Meanwhile, ten people have shown an interest in joining a club in the area. So it really does make a difference, especially as the sports offerings grow!"
