On Sunday 22 March, The RFL proudly kicked off its 2026 Disability Inclusion Season with an official launch event held at Hull FC\u2019s MKM Stadium.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Hosted by England Wheelchair Rugby League star Freya Levy, the event celebrated\u00a0an exciting year for the disability inclusion season as the England International Wheelchair squad and the\u00a0Physical Disability\u00a0England Community Lions\u00a0begin preparations\u00a0for their 2026 World Cup campaigns, held in Australia later in the year. \u00a0<\/p>\n
A particularly significant milestone also celebrated at the event was the celebration\u00a0of the 10-year anniversary of social impact in Rugby League from our proud partners at Community Integrated Care who play a pivotal role in\u00a0the Learning Disability Super League: enabling dreams on the game\u2019s biggest stages.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Representatives from the\u00a0Betfred Wheelchair Super League (Rob Hawkins, Halifax Panthers. Luis Domingos, Sheffield Eagles. Lewis King London Roosters),\u00a0and\u00a0Physical Disability Rugby League\u00a0(Matt Davies & Chris\u00a0Young, York\u00a0Knights. Matt\u00a0Jackson & Jamie Barnett Lancashire) took to the stage to share exciting updates and opportunities for the season ahead.<\/p>\n
Amongst the highlights,\u00a0the stage welcomed PDRL England Community Lions Head Coach Michelle Melling and players Corey\u00a0Davies and Nick Leigh to share their\u00a0aspirations for the international\u00a0journey\u00a0\u201cRoad to Australia\u201d\u00a0alongside fundraising efforts supporting the trip\u00a0with full support from RFL President Adam Hills\u00a0MBE,\u00a0an advocate for physical disability. Having been a mainstay of Physical Disability Rugby League since it was launched in 2018, playing for Warrington Wolves against Leeds Rhinos and\u00a0representing\u00a0Australia\u00a0internationally\u00a0in the inaugural PDRL World Cup in 2022. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The\u00a0RFL\u2019s\u00a0President Adam Hills\u00a0MBE\u00a0said: \u201cThe Road to Australia is an incredible opportunity for the PDRL England Community Lions, not just to compete on the international stage and defend their title, but to\u00a0highlight\u00a0everything that makes Rugby League as a sport so special.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI have\u00a0experienced first-hand the commitment,\u00a0talent,\u00a0and spirit that it takes to not only play Physical Disability Rugby League\u00a0but to\u00a0represent\u00a0the sport on an international level. I know that the England Community Lions will undoubtedly\u00a0represent\u00a0England, the\u00a0sport,\u00a0and its communities with pride.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish the PDRL Community Lions the very best of luck on their Road to Australia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
General Manager of England Wheelchair Rugby League, Martin\u00a0Coyd, also\u00a0looked ahead to the upcoming World Cup, offering insight into preparations and\u00a0ambitions for the prestigious tournament ahead.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Following the launch, attendees moved into the stadium to take part in the pitch parade half-time activity during the\u00a0Hull FC vs Leeds Rhinos Super League fixture; extending the visibility of the inclusion Season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The 2026 Disability Inclusion Season builds on the strong foundations of previous years, continuing to grow participation, raise awareness and ensure that Rugby League remains a sport for all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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