GOLD at the Paralympics

Team GB have broken all records to become the first ever European nation to win Gold in wheelchair rugby at the Paralympics.

Wooden Spoon funded rugby wheelchairs in Coventry

The team took the title after beating the United States 59-54 in a nail biting final.  This is a milestone moment for the mixed gender team following previous GB bests of bronze-medal match defeats in 1996, 2004 and 2008.

Top try scorer, Jim Roberts told Channel 4: “What an amazing shift for the guys – that was one to remember.  We knew there would be some amazing teams, and USA always beat us in the major tournaments so it was good to put a nail in that one.”

Kylie Grimes, the only woman in the squad, said: “I hope I can inspire girls to give it a go.  Wheelchair rugby is for everybody, for all of us: young girls, young boys, youth, everybody. I’d love more women in my sport. Women can match the men.

Aaron Phipps, who plays wheelchair rugby for Solent Sharks, a wheelchair rugby team funded by Wooden Spoon said: “This was a huge team effort and we could not have done it without you all.  Thank you to all the previous players who paved the way and have given us advice when each of us first started.  Thank you to everyone who supported us from home … our coaches, support staff and everyone else who helps us.”

Wooden Spoon CEO, Sarah Webb, said: “What an awesome result and win.  We are so proud of the team.  Wooden Spoon have long supported wheelchair rugby, particularly at grass roots level and have funded rugby wheelchairs in every team across the UK and Ireland.  We are delighted that the hard work of all these amazing athletes has paid off.

To find out more about how you can get involved with funding Wooden Spoon projects email charity@woodenspoon.org.uk.