Stars from the sporting world and beyond collide in the 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship Celebrity Match
The 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship has announced an all-star Friday night fiesta featuring a star-studded wheelchair rugby Celebrity Match. Renowned athletes from the wheelchair rugby and rugby world are set to rub shoulders with well-known celebrity faces as they are pitted together in a Wales v England clash of titans.
Kylie Grimes Photo: Megumi Masuda
The two teams will go head-to-head on Friday 5th May at 5.30pm, before Great Britain’s final pool game against Denmark. The celebrities will be hosted in the President’s Lounge after their match as part of the ‘Celebrity Match Reception’ hospitality package.
Heading up the Reds for team Wales is GB Paralympic champion Jim Roberts MBE. A retired wheelchair rugby player, Roberts won gold with GB in Tokyo so is expertly positioned to coach team Wales to victory in the Celebrity Match. Roberts commented: “I’m very excited to be involved – momentum has been really gathering for this event! As a Welshman, it will be such a fantastic opportunity to play in the Principality Stadium too.”
Others in the Welsh ranks include former Wales international rugby union player Dai Llewellyn and his son, Love Island star Liam Llewellyn, as well as Paralympic swimmer / wheelchair skateboarder Lily Rice.
The Roses will have GB Paralympic champion Kylie Grimes MBE at the helm. The first woman to ever win Paralympic gold in wheelchair rugby, Grimes commented: “I’m really looking forward to being part of this England celebrity team! It’s amazing to be able to showcase our sport even further, and create a good hype before the GB team take to the stage.”
Former professional rugby player and broadcaster Ed Jackson will be joining Grimes in the celebrity match clash. He said: “After spending time in a wheelchair myself and having been lucky enough to be present for GB’s Tokyo glory, I am a massive fan of the sport and can’t wait to take part in this match. I’m not going to lie though, after seeing the pros do it up close, I’m definitely also a bit nervous!”
Finalising the current line up for England is Nathalie McGloin, the only female tetraplegic racing driver in the world. McGloin said: “I can’t wait to play! Wheelchair rugby was always my first love and I owe everything I have achieved since my injury to this sport. Being part of GB wheelchair rugby showed me that there was life after spinal injury and I would not have gone on to become the first female tetraplegic racing driver in the world without it. Now I just need to remember how to play!”
Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster, where prices for day tickets start from £10 for adults and under-16s can experience the action for just £1.
Find out more about the 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championship here.
