Rugby League Wheelchair World Cup: England win can start something special, says Tom Halliwell

England captain Tom Halliwell believes their thrilling Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup triumph can start something special for the sport.

And his coach Tom Coyd wants the public to get involved in building its legacy.

Leeds Rhinos player Halliwell’s late try before 4,526 fans – a record crowd for the sport – sealed a 28-24 win over France in the final in Manchester.

“This is just the beginning for wheelchair rugby league,” said the 23-year-old.

“It is amazing and I am grateful and happy to be a part of it and I can’t wait to see it grow into what it can be.

“Lifting the trophy is probably the best feeling in the world. I’ve been working so hard for for the past five years and it is so good knowing the hard work has paid off.

“This tournament has been ground-breaking and shows what rugby league is all about.”

Halliwell led by example for Coyd’s side with a try in each half as England were made work hard at both ends of the court against the world’s number one-ranked team.

And an emotional Coyd afterwards said the public had a key role to play in building on the victory.

He said: “Wheelchair rugby league is going to explode, so get down to your nearest club.

“Get in a chair – disabled, non-disabled, male, female – just come down, play this game, and this could be you in a few years.”

Throughout the tournament, England’s focus has been on results but also raising the profile of the sport and creating a legacy – and the squad has delivered on all counts, with record crowds and unprecedented media interest.

“We will enjoy tonight,” said Coyd. “The players have earned it. They have put their lives on hold, taken time off work and they have got what they deserved.

“We talked about it at the start of the tournament and the aim was to win five games – and as a by-product of that, to continue the legacy created before this tournament.

“We want to show as many people as we can how good this game is.

“But going forward, I want to see a regular competitive Wheelchair Super League in Britain and up to 10 new clubs over the next couple of years – some, not all, linked to Super League clubs.

“I also want to see more coaches, because some clubs are player-coach led, and have the sport as a mainstream obsession rather than a rugby league cult – and we are getting there.”