YORK RLFC are launching a wheelchair team in 2023 following a successful taster session at the University of York’s Sports Centre.

Wheelchair rugby league gained mainstream attention during the autumn's World Cup, which was broadcast live across the BBC.

England toppled reigning champions France 28-24 in the final to further heighten the publicity of the wheelchair game.

The code is now seeking to build on the international success by enhancing the domestic game, with York set to field a wheelchair side for the first time next year.

"We were really pleased with the first session on Wednesday night," said Adam Prentis, the York RLFC Foundation delivery manager.

"The response has been overwhelming, with people willing to help out and get involved to make it happen, both within the existing wheelchair rugby league community and in other areas locally.

"People from all different backgrounds have been interested in getting involved, whether that's ex-rugby league players, male or female players, people with and without disabilities, a vast array of people got in touch wanting to give the sport a go.

"I think that things are looking really positive now going into 2023."

Prentis hailed the impact made by the World Cup in the upsurge in participation levels in the wheelchair game.

He added: "That opened up a lot of people's eyes to the sport with all of the games being shown on the BBC, that's brought a new audience to rugby league.

"It also means we're engaging with different people, whether that be people who perhaps used to play the sport or people of different ages.

"For us, there's no better time to launch a wheelchair team than now on the back of England's success.

"That's been supported by the funding that's been made available by the CreatedBy fund, which has been secured by lots of hard work from people at the RFL and the World Cup.

"That's supported the legacy of the World Cup and it's certainly something we're keen to make the most of here in York."

York are planning another taster session next month before its wheelchair team debuts in a match later in the year.

"We're in the early stages still but all the signs are looking strong," Prentis outlined.

"We're looking to do another taster session in early January as some people could not attend on Wednesday for various reasons. That will build our player base.

"Looking further ahead than that, we're very much focused on making a team a reality and playing some fixtures in 2023.

"There are a number of clubs in a similar position to us which is great news as it means we're playing teams that are relatively new to the sport, like many of our players are too."

Prentis was also keen to pay credit to the University of York, whose Sports Centre was the venue for the taster session.

"The venue last night was as good as any in the city, if not one of the best around," Prentis enthused.

"We're spoilt with the facilities we have access to with York St John.

"Keith Morris (head of sport) at the University of York has been fantastic to work with throughout the World Cup campaign.

"We reached to him about this joint venture and he's keen to support us. We're keeping those talks going to see how we can host training sessions and ultimately matches."

Anyone interested in joining the York RLFC wheelchair team can contact Adam Prentis on a.prentis@yorkrlfc.com or can call the York RLFC Office on 01904 670880.