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Sheffield-based sport and leisure specialists Montgomery Leisure Services has been appointed as events consultants to Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby (GBWR).

Montgomery Leisure Services, which trades as MLS, has been tasked by GBWR and UK Sport to develop an international events programme to assist the development of the sport ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Wheelchair rugby has been a Paralympic sport since being a demonstration event at the Atlanta Games in 1996. In Beijing last year the British team just missed out on a medal by finishing fourth, but maintained their current world ranking.

A full contact, hard hitting sport which received huge interest during the Paralympics, wheelchair rugby is a mixed sex sport played on an indoor court with four players on at any given time.

MLS director John Timms, who has also been appointed as the European Zone’s competitions manager, said it was an exciting sport to be working with:

“Wheelchair rugby is one of the fastest growing Paralympic sports. It is dynamic to watch with full contact allowed between the teams.

“MLS’s role is to develop a programme of events, which includes new tournaments such as the ‘GB Cup’ in Sheffield on August 14-16, between the British team and some of the other top nations.”

Richard Allcroft, events director for GBWR, said he was delighted to be working with MLS: “We’re pleased to have MLS on board developing our events calendar.

“They have a proven track record across a host of sports, particularly in their role of managing the Inclusive Fitness Initiative. I am looking forward to working with John and his team on an exciting programme of events and tournaments.”

For more information about Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby visit www.gbwr.co.uk