THE Wales Rugby League Wheelchair season will comprise three phases ahead of the World Cup in the autumn.
Four teams, including two new sides (Aber Valley Wolves and South Wales Jets) will contest a truncated ‘curtain-raiser’ competition during February, with the Grand Final set for early March.
The well-established South Wales Invitational League (which can, by tradition, include English outfits) will operate for the fourth time during the summer. Invites for inclusion will be issued later.
Meanwhile in September, Crusaders, Wolves, Jets and Blue Dragons will enjoy the two-week knockout Cwpan Sialens Cadair Olwyn (Wheelchair Challenge Cup) tournament.
At international level, Wales will prepare for the World Cup by again contesting the Celtic Cup against Ireland and Scotland, while friendly matches are in the pipeline.
Curtain-raiser fixtures:
Sunday, February 8: North Wales Crusaders v South Wales Jets (12.20pm); Aber Valley Wolves v Cardiff Blue Dragons (1.40pm). Both at Sue Noakes Leisure Centre, Ystrad Mynach.
Sunday, February 22: Cardiff Blue Dragons v South Wales Jets (10.20am); Aber Valley Wolves v North Wales Crusaders (11.40am). Both at Tonyrefail Leisure Centre.
Saturday, February 28: Cardiff Blue Dragons v North Wales Crusaders (10.30am, at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre, Wrexham); Aber Valley Wolves v South Wales Jets (11.20am, at Caerphilly Leisure Centre).
Sunday, March 8: Grand Final (venue to be confirmed).
Stephen Jones, head of Wheelchair Rugby League in Wales, said: “It’s great to be going into the fourth year of the Welsh League and for the first time with an all-Welsh line-up, including two new teams.
“Our hope is that, by the end of this year, and going into 2027, we’ll have at least two more teams involved. The future for the national side is looking bright as we head towards this year’s World Cup.”