THE Wales Wheelchair team have issued a clarion call to sports fans in the country, and the wider Rugby League community, to help fund costs ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in Australia from Friday, October 30 to Friday, November 13.
Donations of only £1 are requested, and officials hope 10,000 will take up the opportunity.
The initiative – dubbed the ‘10,000 for CYMRU’ campaign – will help put ‘CYMRU’ on the front of the team’s shirts and, stresses Wales RL media manager Ian Golden, “help cover the significant costs involved in preparing an elite international team for a major tournament on the other side of the world”.
He added: “The campaign has a simple ambition: 10,000 people giving £1 to help Cymru compete on the world stage. A pound may seem a small amount, but £10,000 will make a huge difference to the team.
“For the players selected to represent Wales, this is about much more than a sporting event. It is an opportunity to wear the red jersey, represent their communities and showcase the strength, determination and talent of Wheelchair Rugby League in Wales.
“But taking a disability sport team to a World Cup in Australia comes with substantial costs. Funds raised will help towards essential expenses including travel, training facilities, playing and off-field kit, excess wheelchair baggage, vehicle hire, insurance, spare wheelchair parts and medical supplies, all of which are vital to enabling the squad to compete safely and effectively.
“The team are therefore asking communities, businesses, sports clubs, schools, organisations and individuals across Wales to get behind the appeal.”
Head coach Alan Caron said: “Representing Wales on the world stage in Australia is an incredible honour, but the logistics of getting an elite wheelchair squad across the globe are immense.
“Every single pound raised brings us closer to making sure our players have the exact training, equipment and support they need to perform at their best.
“A front-of-shirt sponsor worth £10,000 was almost over the line, but sadly they withdrew at the last minute, leaving us with a significant gap in our funding. So we thought we’d ask the public to put CYMRU on the front of the playing shirts in the place of a sponsor’s logo.
“This campaign is about bringing the nation with us. Whether you donate a pound or share the link with your family and colleagues, you’re putting yourself right there on the shirt with us. We want to make Wales proud, and every bit of support helps us get one step closer to that goal.”
The drive can be supported through Crowdfunder at 10,000 x £1 = CYMRU.
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup matches are set to be broadcast live on Premier Sports.