Grassroots Games 2016: Wheelchair Rugby
The Paralympics is under way in Brazil, and the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is focusing on the sports that you will see, hear or read about over the next two weeks.
With 22 different disciplines on show in Rio 2016, EFDS takes a look at grassroots participation back here in Britain.
Today it’s Wheelchair Rugby, with Martin Beddis telling us about an active summer and feeling stronger.
All my activity this summer has been rugby-based.
Two versions of rugby league, plus coaching and playing rugby sevens based on rugby union. That involves monthly England training sessions to recruit players and get them up to standard.
If I didn’t have this passion for rugby I would do very, very little exercise.
If I couldn’t exercise it would do my wife’s head in, for a start! The fact that I can go out and train, because I’m so passionate about sport, means that I can be me. If I didn’t do it I’d just be sitting at home in front of the computer, vegging out and not doing a great deal.
After a full-on training session I feel great.
I know when I’ve had a good session – I can feel my muscles burning. You can feel a bit stiff the day after, but you know that if you’re not getting that feeling then you’re not pushing yourself to where you need to be, if you want to get fit and keep fit.
If you’re in a wheelchair like me then upper body strength is essential.
If you don’t work at it you will get slower and slower. It’s important to do even basic exercise just to keep the momentum going. Being fit is not just useful in terms of sport, but in general day-to-day life.
Exercise means a healthy body and mind.
And it’s good family fun – inclusive clubs are often very family-orientated. At Liverpool, we have a lot of players who turn up with families who have encouraged them to join in.
