By Kieran Gallagher

The Caledonian Crushers are Scotland’s only wheelchair rugby team, who compete all over the UK and currently play in the sport’s second division.

Despite the immense pride the players feel representing their country, the fact remains that there isn’t enough funding and representation for wheelchair rugby in Scotland.

Although Team GB won gold at the 2020 Paralympics, one of the Caledonian Crusher’s players – Elliot Cooper – feels that there hasn’t been enough done to progress the sport.

She said: “The funding and representation isn’t good enough.

“Team GB won the Paralympics last time and we have seen no funding change at all in Scotland. I’m not sure how it is in England, but it feels that we are just fighting to get noticed.”

Elliot goes on to mention how difficult it is when it comes to keeping players, due to the unique nature and discipline of the sport, and what she feels could be the long-term goals of the club

She said: “We have a bit of a marketing problem in the sport and because of this a bit of a (player) retention problem.

“I think the long-term goals of the club would be to get more players and to create a club pathway where players can start quite young and work their way through the club.

Also, to raise the profile of wheelchair rugby in Scotland, in order to get some inter-Scottish tournaments to avoid the constant travel down to England.”

Despite the financial struggles, wheelchair rugby can be a great place for athletes to meet people who are in a similar position and improve your fitness and mental wellbeing.

Jennifer Lang, who is one of the leaders at the club, discussed why she enjoys the sport so much.

She said: “Before I started playing wheelchair rugby, I didn’t have that many friends that used wheelchairs.

“I’ve used a wheelchair my whole life and I went to ‘normal school’, so I didn’t have many friends in these circles but now I do.”

“It’s like a whole new world, I love the team spirit and feel the players understand me in a different way.”

The Caledonian Crusher encourages anyone interested and players of all levels to take part in wheelchair rugby.