Warrington to play Souths in PDRL World Club Challenge

James Gordon

Warrington will take on South Sydney Rabbitohs in the inaugural Physical Disability Rugby League World Club Challenge next month.

The Wolves played in the first PDLR game against Leeds back in February, and will now head Down Under to play before the Souths and Wests Tigers NRL fixture on August 30.

Australian comedian and TV presenter of The Last Leg, Adam Hills, has been a key member of the Warrington Wolves PDRL team and instigated a fixture in Australia for the team to play against South Sydney PDRL.

This international fixture against Souths is an amazing opportunity to make a wider audience aware of this variant of the game and allows Warrington’s team to play the game they love on a huge stage whilst enjoying a unique experience Down Under.

On the game, Adam Hills said, “Playing Physical Disability Rugby League has been one of the best experiences of my life.

“I’m really excited to show off Australia to my team mates and show off PDRL to a wider audience.”

Director of Warrington Wolves Foundation, Neil Kelly said, “We’re proud to be the first team to be playing in the inaugural PDRL World Club Challenge, it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to be part of and the squad can’t wait to travel to Australia in what will be a once in a lifetime experience. We hope the fixture will remain to expand the sport overseas for years to come.”

Rabbitohs General Manager of Football, Shane Richardson, said: “The players in the Physical Disability Rugby League are an inspiration to us all.

“They continue to play the game they love, at all ages and abilities, and the games are always well supported by our Members and fans when they play curtain raisers to our NRL fixtures.

“As a Club we’re really looking forward to welcoming Adam and the Warrington team in August for what is shaping up as a great game of footy.”

Whilst Warrington will be the UK’s representative this year it is proposed that another PDRL team will be selected to represent the competition in 2019.

The group needs to raise £50,000 for the trip and are looking for businesses or individuals willing to support them.

Adam Hills is also producing a documentary around the journey of PDRL and the Rugby Football League will be promoting this at the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final in August.

For more information on how you can get involved contact shaunbriscoe@wolvesfoundation.com or donate now to the Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/PDRL