Deeside based Wales Wheelchair RL team in search for sponsors ahead of this year’s World Cup

Wales Rugby League has confirmed they are set to compete in this year’s Wheelchair World Cup in France.

The World Cup is scheduled to take place between July 18-28 in a number of venues in the south of France.

Due to funding cuts and with no money is available from Wales Rugby League centrally or Disability Sport Wales, the Deeside Leisure Centre based team are now on the hunt for sponsors as all players have to fund their own trip across the channel.

The competition is expected to involve six nations and will involve the players being away for over a week should they reach the Final.

Wales came third in the 2013 World Cup after beating Australia, the first time that any side from Wales has beaten the Australians in any form of full international Rugby League.

The team are competing in the Celtic Cup at The Peak, Sterling, Scotland on Saturday 29th April where they will be defending their trophy where again all players and staff are paying their own way.

Wales Wheelchair Rugby League team manager Mark Andrew Jones is delighted that Wales have confirmed their World Cup entry but knows that the hard work is just beginning.

We’ll be holding training sessions again in May and June prior to the World Cup. We will keep these as open training camps too, in order to attract as many players as possible.

It’s been a tough few months as we decided whether we were able to go to France but after firm commitments from eight players and three staff, we were able to confirm our participation.

Finance remains an issue and we will continue to try and fundraise so if there’s anyone who wants to sponsor the only Welsh RL international side to have ever beaten Australia, please get in touch.

To find out more about click here: Wales Wheelchair RL team

The full squad for the Celtic cup at Sterling on 29 April:

Mark Williams (North Wales Crusaders Rugby League Club) (Capt.)

Stuart Williams (North Wales Crusaders) (vice captain)

Harry Jones (North Wales Crusaders)

Alan Caron (North Wales Crusaders)

James Roberts  (North Wales Crusaders)

Gary Preece

Gary Taylor  (North Wales Crusaders)

Andrew Higgins  (North Wales Crusaders)

Making their debut

Clare Cranston  (North Wales Crusaders)

John Doyle  (North Wales Crusaders)

Wales Wheelchair RL team have set up a crowdfunder page – crowdfunder.co.uk/wales-wheelchair-rugby-league-world-cup-fundraiser

For more information on sponsoring the Wales Wheelchair side, please email maj.jones58@yahoo.co.uk.