From the University of the Sunshine Coast to São Paulo, Australia’s Wheelchair Rugby team will spend the next week defending their world title.
After finalising preparations for the 2026 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships with a camp at UniSC’s Para Sport Hub, the Aussie Steelers face a testing schedule in Brazil.
The Steelers must play eight games in seven days if they are to be crowned world champions for a third time after previous titles in 2022 and 2014.
Australia is in a tough Pool A along with the United States of America, four-time World Championship winners and three-time Olympic gold medallists.
The choice of the Steelers to use UniSC’s facilities to prepare for their assignment is further testament to the high-performance para sports environ
ment on campus.
Chris Bond being followed by Aaron Phipps from Great Britain during the Men’s Preliminary Round at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (Photo: Aitor Alcalde-Getty Images for IPC)
Some national wheelchair rugby athletes have utilised UniSC as their daily performance environment since 2018, including prior to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.
Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) staff oversee the wheelchair rugby program, with Queensland head coach Ben Newton OAM frequently on campus.
“The weekly training sessions held at UniSC provide an important opportunity for local Steelers to train together in a high-quality environment,” Mr Newton said.
“These court sessions and access to the high-performance gym were essential to preparation for Sunshine Coast-based athletes Ryley Batt, Chris Bond, Emilie Miller and Beau Vernon, all of whom have travelled to Brazil.
“Having access to the courts and environment at UniSC is a real asset for our program and gives athletes a consistent place to train at a high level, while strengthening the connection between the university and the wider wheelchair rugby community.
“That relationship helps us prepare for the demands of international competition while continuing to grow the sport on the Sunshine Coast and across the state.
“Recently, members of Swimming Australia’s team for the Pan Pacific Championships and Para Pan Pacs being held in California, USA, also used the UniSC Aquatic Centre prior to their meet.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli and UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Helen Bartlett joined a selection of para athletes on the pool deck in the lead-up.
They helped celebrate the University’s holistic approach to sport and culture, highlighting council founding for an Olympics and Paralympics heritage project.
UniSC historian Dr Kate Kirby will lead the project alongside colleagues Dr Amy Clarke and Dr Sarah Casey, creating a chronicle of the many contributors to the Sunshine Coast’s rich sporting pedigree.
Aside from wheelchair rugby and para swimming, UniSC is also recognised for its excellence in other para sports like basketball, athletics and cycling.
