Wheelchair rugby match held at Help for Heroes Centre

Wheelchair bound military heroes have gone head-to-head as part of a bid to become the next sports champion.

At the Help for Heroes recovery centre based at Phoenix House, teams of veterans took on professional rugby players in a game of wheelchair rugby.

Members of Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Club’s 1st XV team paid a special visit to the recovery centre, and were treated to a tour, before participating in the challenge.

The Darlington Mowden Park Rugby team members split into three different teams, and played three games of 14 minutes.

One of the players from the teams was Seveci Navelinikoro, who served 12 years with 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment.

This included tours of Iraq, Afghanistan, Belize, the Falklands, Northern Ireland and Kenya.

Mr Navelinikoro said he missed playing rugby, after sustaining his injuries.

"This brings me back to the sport. It’s a great workout. It’s very challenging as it’s hard to control the ball at the same time as the wheelchair," he said in an interview published by Help for Heroes.

Hilary Conway, the supported activities coordinator for Help for Heroes, indicated that the event was so successful that the event could be held every year.

She said: "Most, if not all, of the participants, especially from DMP, had never played wheelchair rugby before so it was an opportunity for them to try a new, if somewhat familiar, sport on an even playing field with wounded serving military personnel and veterans."