Sheffield Eagles’ Wheelchair Side to Compete in the Betfred Wheelchair Super League Next Season

Sheffield Eagles’ application to join the Betfred Wheelchair Rugby League has been accepted after they finished the 2024 season undefeated across their league matches.

Last season’s success also saw their wheelchair ‘red’ side finish top of the Championship East table before they went on to win the Championship Grand Final against Gravesend Dynamite.

On their time as a team so far, David Butler Chair of Trustees for Eagles Foundation said in the club’s press release: “Our progress through the Championship has been well documented as we lost every game we played in our debut season in 2022.”
“Through perseverance and determination, our core group of players have steadily improved, resulting in being crowned champions in an undefeated 2024 campaign, which also saw Chris Haynes make his England debut.”

The Eagles Wheelchair side’s inclusion in the next Betfred Wheelchair Super League season speaks not only for the success of the team but also for the appetite for the sport within the city.

Sheffield Eagles have successfully branded themselves as ‘one club’ who have all their teams at the forefront of their club, which has allowed the wheelchair side to expand on their success and create more opportunities for people to take up the sport within the city.

On the expansion of wheelchair rugby league in the city, Butler also said in the club’s press release: “Whilst Super League is the next logical step to test our first team squad, we have also accepted a place in the Regional Activity which will see us launch a third team, in addition to fielding a Super League reserve grade team, at Sheffield Eagles for the 2025 season.”

“This will ensure that everyone who wants to play Wheelchair Rugby League at our club can do so at an appropriate level, ensuring the continued growth and sustainability of our Wheelchair RL section.”
Next year the Betfred Wheelchair Super League will feature seven teams, with Sheffield and fellow new editions the Edinburgh Giants joining the league alongside Leeds Rhinos, Halifax Panthers, Wigan Warriors, London Roosters and Hull F.C.

The league will also expand again in 2026 with Warrington Wolves rejoining the highest league for Wheelchair Rugby League in the United Kingdom.

On the expanding league, Chris Godfrey, the RFL’s National Inclusion Manager, said in the Sheffield Eagles press release: “We’d like to thank all clubs who submitted applications and level of competition was high.”

“There were eight applications that were identified as particularly strong who will now compete in the Betfred Wheelchair Super League for the 2025-2027 window.”

Sheffield Eagles’ Betfred Wheelchair Super League season will provisionally get underway against Wigan Warriors at the end of June next year, with their first home game being against London Roosters at the beginning of July.