Adam Hills helps launch first rugby league team
The country’s first rugby league team was launched at Super League Club Warrington Wolves Stadium. Australian comedian, Adam Hills, from Channel 4’s The last Leg, visited the Halliwell Jones Stadium to launch and play for the disability team.
The 47 year old scored a Try and kicked a goal that lead to the win against a full strength Warrington team, consisting of international stars Kurt Gidley, Chris Hill and Stefan Ratchford.
Hills was born without a right foot but had always dreamed of playing rugby league for South Sydney Rabbitohs. He said:
"Most of the guys are associated with the Wolves Foundation through their disability programmes, however have never had the chance to play rugby league. I grew up in Sydney playing rugby league but eventually there was nowhere with a guy with one leg to play.”
Australia have been providing this opportunity now for six years and New Zealand have just established teams too.
Hills continued:
“The game is modified to suit different disabilities with the support of two non-disabled players which meant I got to play with Wolves and Welsh Legend Lee Briers."
Plans are being made for a Warrington Wolves team to play an exhibition match in Australia against Hill’s boyhood team South Sydney next year. It leaves Hills with a difficult choice between playing for either of the teams!
It is hoped with the backing of the governing body, the Rugby Football League, that fellow Super League clubs will form a Disability League. They have a goal to stage a Tri Nation Festival as part of the 2021 World Cup in England.
