Pre-participation
Before playing Wheelchair Rugby, there are a series of checks to be undertaken by the team coach to ensure that a player is Wheelchair Rugby Ready.
A Wheelchair Rugby player will:
- have the physical attributes and have attained the necessary level of fitness for their level of play
- have sufficient technical skill and ability for the grade at which they are playing
- be familiar with the rules of the Game and what constitutes foul play
Player profiling is an established method of assessing players’ readiness to play Wheelchair Rugby. A good profile will help coaches ascertain if a player is Wheelchair Rugby Ready. Profiling should take place before pre-season training starts and when new players join the squad. It should then be repeated at intervals throughout the season.
The profile should gather information on the following areas:
- personal contact and next of kin details
- medical history (including details of any medication taken)
- cardiac questionnaire
- lifestyle and fitness information
- history of injury
- record of insurance
- previous exposure to Wheelchair Rugby
Special attention should be given to:
- all new players
- specific information about pre-existing injuries
- any player with a history of concussion
- older players who may have degenerative conditions
