Release Date: 14 November 2007

The Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) is providing 800 tickets to people with a disability and urging the wider community to attend the Oceania Wheelchair Rugby Championship at Sydney Olympic Park on 20-24 November.

Brendan O'Reilly, Director-General of DADHC today said the ticket offer is part of Don't DIS my ABILITY, a campaign celebrating International Day of People with a Disability on 3 December.

“I am proud to announce that DADHC is sponsoring the Oceania Wheelchair Rugby Championship and providing hundreds of people living in DADHC group homes with tickets to the competition throughout the week,” Mr O'Reilly said.

“I also encourage the wider community to come along and support this fabulous tournament at Homebush. For a gold coin donation, you can see some of the world's highest rated sides battle for a place at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics,” he said.

Wheelchair rugby is a fast and physical game known as murderball by those who watch and play it. Australia is currently ranked sixth in the world.

National coach Brad Dubberley is optimistic about Australia's prospects in the championship. “We are a tight knit group working hard to achieve our goals of Paralympics success for Australia,” he said.

“The competition has several great fixtures and I hope the community gets behind the players by turning up and making some noise.”

Wheelchair Sports NSW is organising the tournament. Match times and information is available at www.oceaniawrc.com.au