Wheelchair Rugby World Championship secures first title sponsor

Insurance company GIO has agreed a deal to title sponsor the 2018 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship, which will be held in the Australian city of Sydney.

It will mark the first time the tournament has had a title sponsor. GIO reached the agreement with Disability Sports Australia, which is organising the championship.

“This partnership is of international significance,” DSA’s chief executive Jenni Cole said. “It is the first time in the history of the championship that a naming rights sponsor has been secured. We commend GIO for their foresight and commitment to changing lives through sport.”

The tournament will run from August 5-10 next year. Australia is the defending champion, having defeated Canada 67-56 in the final of the 2014 tournament, which was held in Odense, Denmark. Australia is also the defending Paralympic Games champion, with wheelchair rugby having debuted at the 2000 Games in Sydney.