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Chair lift for League champions

YORKSHIRE youngsters will find it easier than ever to try their hands at wheelchair rugby league after the children’s charity of rugby presented a local club with three new chairs.

Wooden Spoon Yorkshire’s backing of Halifax Wheelchair Rugby League Club will enable newcomers to experience the fast, exciting sport as well as providing more opportunities for experienced players.

The chairs were handed to club president Malcolm Kielty by Yorkshire Committee members David Fenton, Nigel Shaw and Andy Proud ahead of a training session at Calderdale College Sports Hall – with the braver members of the group invited to strap themselves in and give the sport a try for themselves.

Andy Proud said: “It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of the wheelchair users for this sport, and a credit to Malcolm and his team at Halifax Wheelchair Rugby League.

“Under their guidance, I’m sure these chairs will see many years service encouraging these youngsters and generations to come to get fit and take part in wheelchair rugby”.

Wooden Spoon Yorkshire’s generosity was previously recognised by Halifax Wheelchair Rugby League Club when Malcolm Kielty hosted Stuart Watson and Adam Hirst on the club’s pre-match lunch table during Rugby League’s The Qualifiers showdown between Halifax and Widnes in August.

The event featured a short speech from Malcolm in which he recognised Wooden Spoon’s contribution to the growth of wheelchair rugby league among children.

Halifax Wheelchair Rugby League Club is one of the sport’s leading sides, having been crowned Grand Final and Challenge Cup winners in both 2016 and 2017 and claiming the European Championship in 2014.

Find out how you can play your part in backing the next generation of wheelchair athletes with our Supporting Tomorrow’s Superstars initiative.