FEATURE: Great Britain has a new star in the making

High Aspirations

He has set his sights on representing his country. 

Toby Church dreams of playing for Great Britain in the Paralympics. 

The wheelchair rugby player and Arts University Bournemouth student has already dipped his feet into the top levels of the sport. 

A member of the National Training Camp, commonly called the NTC, where players with potential in the sport come together to be trained by the country’s most elite coaches.  

Those who are successful in this camp are invited to an intense two-day course at Lilleshall Sports Centre, also known for being used by the Team GB Wheelchair Rugby team.

Church was among those invited and described the experience as ‘pretty intense’ and was surrounded by people who ‘live and breathe’ wheelchair rugby. 

His Story

Having been born 11 weeks early, the 21-year-old grew up with a form of Cerebral palsy known as Diplegia, affecting the function and movement of his legs.  

Sport has always been a key part of his life.

His passion for Wheelchair Rugby has grown over the past seven years. 

 “I remember my school took us to a disabled sports day event and I bumped into a guy who played wheelchair rugby. “ 

“He said get in and smash each other up.” 

“I was like, I love this sport!” 

At a local level, Church represents a wheelchair rugby team based in Southampton. 

He also recently received a new wheelchair designed to suit his needs and optimise his performance levels within the sport. 

“With my disability, one side is stronger than the other so I tend to lean to one side.” 

“The new chair has a platform that levels me up again and boosts higher up to utilise my reach.” 

“It’s allowed me to do what I’ve always wanted to do when playing wheelchair rugby.”  

 

The Graphic Design student believes that he can reach levels above and beyond in the sport. 

“In this sport, you have to put the effort in to get what you want out of it.” 

“If you want it, you can get it!” 

“On the International stage, you must show them what they’re missing.” 

“I feel like I am an integral member of the Solent Sharks’ and I can make a real difference on the international stage.”  

Wheelchair Rugby

Within the sport, disabilities are separated into their class, represented by points.

This is based on how restricted the athletes are.  

Teams often consist of four players on the court, making up a total of 8 points. 

Based on his limited leg mobility, Toby is classified as a 2, the middle of the bracket. 

“It’s all about composition.” 

“Strategic decisions need to be made about who and how they will benefit the team.”

Furthermore, Church will be a member of the Sharks’ Wheelchair Rugby 5s for the upcoming season.

They will compete in the Premiership division for the first time after achieving promotion last season.