Independence Day (4 July) saw an historic event for US Rugby League as the first ever National Wheelchair Rugby League team is announced to compete in this year’s Rugby League World Cup.

The USA side will travel to England to take part in the tournament where their group matches will be held at the English Institute for Sport in Sheffield, in November 2021.

The team is currently based in Columbia, S.C (South Carolina) and have taken part in multiple sessions since January of this year, in preparation for the competition. The USA Wheelchair side is grouped with Wales, Scotland, and the defending champions France.

The competition will also include the likes of host nation England, Australia, Spain, and Norway. The side from across the pond will be joined by the Norwegian side as two teams competing in their first ever World Cup.

The USA side will face experienced teams who have athletes regularly competing in England’s domestic Wheelchair League but remain confident they can compete at this year’s event and enjoy their role of relative underdog.

The untested side are eager to show their strength on the global stage and maybe cause the odd upset here and there.

The RLWC2021 will have every minute of every match across the three different competitions, Men’s, Women’s, and Wheelchair, televised by the BBC in the UK for the first time.

General Manager of the USA Wheelchair Rugby League side, Juan Jasso, recently attended the England versus Wales wheelchair International in Sheffield and told RLWC2021:

“It’s going to be an amazing experience for everyone involved with our team and The England Institute for Sport is a world class venue that is second to none. We will certainly be tested in this competition, but I am positive we will surprise a lot of people at the same time. The entire team is focused and working hard to best represent the USA.”

RLWC2021 is looking forward to welcoming the USA Wheelchair side and are excited to have them join the ranks of the sides who have committed to the biggest and best Rugby League World Cup ever.