Halifax Wheelchair team

Evie Godfrey

colour mid-match photo of Halifax wheelchair team on the court

Halifax Wheelchair team

Since the early days of wheelchair Rugby League, Halifax has been at the forefront and have been one of the most successful sides.

colour mid-match photo of Halifax wheelchair team on the court

Halifax has been in the topflight of wheelchair Rugby League since its inception. There was a formal competition from 2012 when Halifax lost to Bury in the Grand Final.

In 2015, Halifax won the first of their three doubles of Grand Final and Challenge Cup. They entered the very first Wheelchair Rugby League Challenge Cup defeating Medway Dragons in the first round by 120-40 and going on to the win the final against Mersey Storm. In the Premier League they finished in top place.

More success followed in 2016 as Halifax beat Leeds 68-54 in the Grand Final. Leeds were again the opponents in the Challenge Cup Final and once again Halifax were triumphant with an emphatic 120-40 win.

Riding the crest of a wave, Halifax went into the 2017 season with confidence. In the Challenge Cup Final, Halifax demolished Leeds for the second year running. Jack Brown scored 15 tries in the 110-48 victory. Halifax ended the season with a Grand Final victory predictably against Leeds.

Halifax made the 2018 Grand Final alongside Leeds. This occasion was not to see a  Halifax victory: Leeds were winners in a close game by 54-44.

The RFL upgraded the competition to Super League status for the 2019 and Halifax continued to make the final as did their perennial rivals Leeds. Halifax dominated in a 50-12 victory.

Following the fallow year in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, wheelchair Rugby League restarted.  Halifax, now named Halifax Panthers, by their high standards, had a lean year. They finished in a creditable 3rd place in the league and lost narrowly 66-63 to Leeds in the play off semi.

colour action shot photo of wheelchair team mid-match on the court

The format of the league was changed substantially with two phases to the 2022 season, Halifax Panthers finished top of the table in phase 1 and second in phase 2. They thereby qualified for the Grand Final and yet again Leeds were defeated in another close game 54-48.

Betfred sponsorship of Rugby League spread to the wheelchair game in 2023. Halifax Panthers made their way through to the Grand Final to face Leeds who they defeated 54-44.

The two teams were back for the 2024 Grand Final and Halifax Panthers come up short as Leeds won the trophy with a 52-32 victory.