Wheelchair Squad named for Season Opener
16/05/2024
Sheffield Eagles Wheelchair team get their Championship East season underway this Sunday with a trip to Bradford Bulls.
Kick off is at 1.30pm at Sedbergh Leisure Centre, with fans being able to catch at least the first half’s action before making their way to Bartercard Odsal Stadium, five minutes walk away, to watch the Men’s team take on the Bulls.
The Championship league this year is being played in three pools, East, West and South, with York City Knights, Wakefield Trinity and Hull Kingston Rovers joining the Bulls and Eagles in the group.
The end of season play-offs will cross over with the South and West divisions to ultimately see a national champion crowned.
For this season, the club will again field two Wheelchair teams, the First Team (Red team) will play in the Championship, with the Second Team (Gold Team) playing a series of friendly matches. Players have been split into the two groups, but performance in the gold team will be rewarded with red team game time. and similarly red team players may move to the gold team from time to time in the season.
The Eagles go into the Championship East as favourites following their 3rd place finish in last year’s competition and are wary of their favourites tag, but training over the last few weeks has stepped up to ensure the team do not take any opposition lightly.
Head Coach Greg Brown, who will miss the match due to other commitments, has named a strong line up for the game, but is missing Red team players David Butler and Ben Simpson. Shaun Orton is elevated from the Gold team for the game, and Stacey Roulson will take charge of the team and be available to play if required.
“We have a strong side, but also a diverse team, with four women in the team, including Stacey as a coach, following last weekend’s successful women’s festival in Sheffield” noted Brown.
“We’re well prepared for the League start after several friendlies and good performances in the Challenge Trophy and the RFL 4s and I am sure that the team will get the job done”.
Sheffield Eagles Wheelchair Team to play this weekend
James Birchnall - Sponsored by JNL Electrical Ltd
April Brooks - Sponsored by The Jagger Family
Vicky Brooks - Sponsored by The Jagger Family
Will Brooks - Sponsored by The Jagger Family
Chris Haynes - Sponsored by Horizon Roofing
Shaun Orton - Sponsored by Sherwood Wolf Hunt Masters
Jenny Pearson - Sponsored by Megan Roberts
Stephen Reilly - Sponsored by Dave Reilly School of Motoring
Stacey Roulson - Sponsored by EVOGO
Joe Wink-Simmonds - Sponsored by Addison Project PLC
