World Wheelchair Rugby: Rewriting the Rules for Women in Sport

As a committed signatory of the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration, World Wheelchair Rugby (WWR) is turning bold ambition into action, championing gender equity through the development of a global Gender Equity Commitment and a powerful new Playbook. In a sport traditionally dominated by men, WWR is changing the narrative, one strategy at a time.

Tackling inequality with vision and evidence

Wheelchair rugby has long been a mixed-gender sport, but until recently, female athletes made up just 10% of participants at national and international levels. Barriers included limited court time, few development pathways, and a culture that often overlooked the needs of women in contact sports.

In 2023, WWR undertook groundbreaking research to examine the impact of current rules and identify structural inequities. This evidence revealed that high-point female players were disadvantaged by the existing classification bonus system. In response, WWR implemented a rule change in 2024 — increasing the classification bonus from 0.5 to 1.0 points for high-point female athletes. This technical adjustment is already encouraging more equitable gameplay and participation.

The Playbook: a practical pathway to progress

The Gender Equity Playbook, launched globally on International Women’s Day 2024, is a cornerstone of WWR’s strategy. Designed with input from across its global membership, the Playbook offers practical tools to help national federations and local clubs build inclusive programmes for women and girls.

The resource is more than a guide, it’s a catalyst for change. It outlines best practices for recruitment, training, visibility, and leadership development. It also equips organisations to challenge gender stereotypes and create new entry points for female athletes.

“The Playbook has sparked important reflections for us in Denmark. We’ve already started dialogue on how we might use the ideas to create new opportunities in our national context.”
Torben Nygaard, Parasport Denmark

Making space for women, from grassroots to global stage

Since WWR began prioritising gender equity in late 2022, the impact has been tangible:

• National women’s teams have increased from 2 to 6, including participation in the world’s only women’s wheelchair rugby tournament – the Women’s Paris Cup.

• Women-only training camps and female-only teams are now a reality.

• More women are being seen on court in mixed-gender matches.

• A new generation of female coaches is emerging, with dedicated clinics and leadership opportunities.

The visibility of women in the sport is also rising with stronger storytelling, media representation, and national initiatives like Japan’s Diversity Promotion Subcommittee using the Playbook to support new practice sessions and development for women+ athletes.

“Events like this are a great opportunity to recruit and develop female athletes… They also serve as an inspiration for others to get involved and give the sport a try.”
Patrice Dagenais, Canadian Coach

Laying the foundation for the future

WWR’s work is not without challenges; limited resources, high equipment costs, and the time it will take to establish a women’s division at the Paralympic level are all significant hurdles. But their unwavering commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive system is paving the way.

Through bold leadership, evidence-based innovation, and community-led solutions, World Wheelchair Rugby is proving what’s possible when equity is not just a value  but a strategy.

Inspired?

What systemic changes could your organisation make to level the playing field?
How can you centre women and girls in every aspect of sport, from rules to representation?

Join the global IWG movement. Learn more about what it means to become an IWG Signatory and how your organisation can commit to the principles of the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration: iwgwomenandsport.org/signatories