IT’S less than 100 days until Wales start their Wheelchair World Cup campaign against cross-border rivals England in Wollongong on October 30.
The match is the second contest in the tournament, immediately following the opener, which sees Ireland tackle USA.
Following the wheelchair double-header, the action moves next door to WIN Stadium, where England take on Samoa in the Women’s World Cup, then Papua New Guinea in the men’s.
Wales head coach Alan Caron’s side are in full preparation for the tournament and he will name his squad next month.
A number of players are hitting top form including Super League’s Matthew Turner, the youngest member of the squad.
He has scored 15 tries in the last two weeks, Stuart Williams has scored 14 tries this month while Jodie Boyd-Ward captained Leeds in their 92-24 Wheelchair Challenge Cup final defeat to Halifax Panthers last Saturday.
In the Championship, tries from Matthew’s dad, Martin Turner, along with Jonny Gill and Harry Mitchell-Jones, have kept North Wales Crusaders top of the table.
The Championship league has been restructured into an eight-team competition this season and things have been positive of late for the Crusaders.
It was a hard-fought encounter away to Midlands Hurricanes, but Crusaders managed to come out on top 42-34.
This followed a 27-18 reverse at the hands of Rochdale Hornets, North Wales’ first home defeat of the campaign.
A record-equalling display helped Crusaders to success in their first ever meeting with Batley Bulldogs,
North Wales claimed a 66-46 margin of victory on the day, with Fionn McCabe equalling a club record with eight tries.
Castleford Tigers, Gravesend Dynamite, York Knights and Wakefield Trinity are other teams in the section.
Caron himself has been in regular try-scoring action this season for Midlands Hurricanes, alongside Lee Sargent, Libbie Sargent and young hopeful Tomos Parker.
“We’re delighted with how our players are performing,” he said. “They’re getting better and better this season, and because we still have injured players to come in and others who could return, it will be a tough selection for the World Cup in Australia.
“We are still fundraising for our trip to Australia and to pay for training camps. We are on a very limited budget, and most of our players will need to take time off work, some unpaid, to represent Wales down under, so we’d be grateful if people could give generously to help us in our cause.
“We reached the semi-finals last time around, and that will be the minimum aim again, but it will be tough. Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far.”
To donate to Wales’ cause, go to https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/wrl-wheelchair-team-road-to-world-cup-2026
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