Absolute Mobility Ltd are proud to be announced as Official Sponsors of the Berkshire Banshees Wheelchair Rugby Team.
Described by Banshees squad member Umit Akyildiz as ‘wheelchair basketball with added bruises’, wheelchair rugby is a high octane, fast-paced game played on indoor courts. Originally invented in Canada in 1977, it is an exciting fusion of ice hockey, handball and rugby. It’s not just about speed and chair contact, but is also a tactically intelligent game. It was originally known as ‘murderball’ due to the aggressive nature of the game. Players are permitted to use their chair to block and hold opponents.
Wheelchair Rugby has been an official Paralympic sport since the year 2000 with men and women together in the same team and a points-based handicapping system allowing people with different physical restrictions to play together as equals.
“The local community has helped our business to grow and we are now able to give a little something back.” said Managing Director Darren O’Connell who founded Absolute Mobility ten years ago. “Lots of people have seen TV footage from the 2016 Rio games, but watching ‘murderball’ in real life is a different experience altogether. Sponsoring this comparatively new team of athletes will give us all a lot of pleasure and we look forward to supporting the Banshees continued successes.”
Team Manager Craig Hunter explained; “Getting the entire squad’s specially strengthened, individually customised wheelchairs to venues is a logistic headache to be overcome each time the Banshees play. The sponsorship will be a big help towards incidentals such as transport costs.”
The Berkshire Banshees squad was formed in 2017 and train at Reading blue coat school Leisure Centre every Saturday from 11am.
The club training sessions are open to both Youth (12+) and Adult players with a physical impairment; you don’t need to be a wheelchair user to take part. Old and new players of any ability are welcome, as well as anyone who would just be interested in volunteering.
