Jade Flynn-Hurley of Rebel Wheelers talks us through the last 12 months of wheelchair rugby life as the Irish team prepare for the European Championships later this year.

Congratulations on retaining the league with Rebel Wheelers recently. Talk us through how that final day drama unfolded.

It was a nail-biting day. As a team we felt the pressure of having to win both of our games in order to be in the running for 1st place.

Our games were back-to-back, which brought more pressure to fight but we fought tough and won both games.

All we had to do was hope Laois Lions beat Ulster Barbarians in the final game by at least 10 points. They were neck and neck until the last quarter when Lions created the gap and won, allowing us to retain the trophy.

You made your Ireland National debut last year in Barcelona and followed it up with appearances at the European Qualifiers in Norway shortly after. What did you learn from those trips with the squad compared to playing at national level?

I’ve learned that the level and standard of playing at international level is higher compared to national level. You have to have great fitness to keep up.

Earlier in the year you went to Paris alongside Ulster Barbarians’, Deirdre Mongan to participate in the Women’s Cup. How important is it to have competitions like this for women only?

It was my second time participating in this tournament, so I was excited to go again back in March. The fact myself and Deirdre were on the same team, allowed our friendship to grow. 

The sport is very male dominant on the international stage. Currently there’s only three women who actively play in Ireland. So having tournaments like this allows women to have fun, create friendships and feel confident in playing the sport.

Deirdre Mongan (left) and Jade Flynn-Hurley (right) pose for a picture in their Women's Cup jerseys while sitting in their rugby wheelchairs.
Deirdre Mongan and Jade Flynn-Hurley at the Women’s Cup in Paris earlier this year.

Wheelchair rugby can come across as an intimidating sport given its hard-hitting nature. What would you say to other women who may be put off by that, to give the sport a try?

I think it’s down to the videos of the sport you see online that makes the sport intimidating. All you see is the clashes, tumbles and falls at international tournaments. What you don’t see is what it’s like at club level. In my experience club level is about having fun and making new friends and developing your own skills for matches at international level. To go back to the question, don’t let watching international videos put you off. Try the sport at club level, and you will quickly learn it’s easier than it looks on tape.

You’re with Rebel Wheelers for over 10 years now, which is run by volunteers. When you’re not training or playing rugby, what else do you do with your club?

I’m on the Rebel Wheelers Saturday Morning Club committee and also a leader for the club. From September to around May or June, I help to plan our calendar for the year, coordinate outings and activities to do in our sports hall and coming up with new ideas. Like last month, I organised for two trainers to run a Taekwondo session with the kids for the first time.

So how can people get involved in wheelchair rugby with Rebel Wheelers?

You can reach out through Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or you can email our club secretary at Secretary.RebelWheelers@iwa.ie

Finally, what’s next for you and Irish Wheelchair Rugby?

Despite the Irish League finishing up back in April, there’s no time to rest with loads of Irish squad training sessions planned. I’ll also be doing my own training outside of these sessions too. This is in the lead up to the Irish Wheelchair Rugby team traveling to Italy to compete in Division C of the European Championships in September.

Learn more about wheelchair rugby and find a team near you by clicking here.