Tim Cree shares his thoughts on Playing Wheelchair Rugby League

How did you first get involved in wheelchair rugby league?

I was already playing PDRL for Team Colostomy UK when I heard about some wheelchair rugby league taster sessions with Sheffield Eagles and Gravesend Dynamite. I decided to give it a go and fell in love with it.

How long after your stoma surgery did you feel ready to get active again?

I was given the all-clear to start running after six weeks and recovered pretty quickly. But it took me much longer to feel confident exercising with my stoma.

At first, I was having a leak almost every time I ran, which was a difficult period. Starting PDRL with Team Colostomy UK helped me get my confidence back. I also changed the bags I was using and the leaks pretty much stopped.

Now I don’t feel my stoma stops me from doing anything.

Did you have any concerns before trying wheelchair rugby league?

It was mainly fear of the unknown. I’d seen wheelchair rugby, sometimes called ‘murderball’, and thought wheelchair rugby league was going to be similar. Thankfully, I was very wrong!

There was also a little bit of uncertainty about collisions and tipping over, but one of the first things we did was practise bumping into the other chairs. They are surprisingly stable.

I’ve toppled over twice while playing, but the bigger risk is usually banging your knees, which is why a lot of players wear knee pads.

How do you prepare your stoma before playing?

For me, I make sure I’ve changed my bag that day and that the chair’s seatbelt isn’t restricting it.

I have a urostomy, so I’ve also got into the habit of checking my bag during breaks in play. As long as the seatbelt sits below my bag, I can twist and turn freely.

I don’t really think about my stoma while I’m playing.

Do you use any extra protection when you play?

I use support and protection when I play PDRL, but I don’t use anything extra for wheelchair rugby league.

There is very little risk of getting caught or hit around the area where most stomas are. The ball hitting my stoma honestly feels less likely than somebody bumping into me in a supermarket.

Have you ever had a leak during a game?

I’ve had a couple of leaks caused by the bag lifting. I normally notice pretty quickly during a break in play, so I come off, change my bag and my kit if I need to, then get back in the chair ready to go again.

It usually takes longer to get to and from the toilet than it does to change the bag!

I haven’t had problems with sore skin. The biggest lesson I learnt early on was not getting so distracted by the game that I forgot to check my bag.

Does playing affect what you eat or drink?

Because I have a urostomy, I try not to drink too much all at once before or during a game, as that can make my bag fill more quickly.

Little and often works well for me, and it is the same approach I use when I’m running.

What stoma supplies do you take on match days?

I take my usual change bag with enough supplies for three changes.

I’ve never needed more than two, and the only time I needed that many was because of user error when putting the bag on!

What difference has wheelchair rugby league made to you?

It has made a huge difference to my confidence.

It has completely changed my outlook on sport. I enjoyed it so much that I went and found another team to play for, Sheffield Eagles, and I’ve even brought a few players into the Team Colostomy UK fold.

That confidence carries over into everyday life too. I stand up for myself much more now.

What would you say to someone living with a stoma who is thinking about giving it a try?

As Nike say: just do it!

I’ve played PDRL for five years and wheelchair rugby league for two, and if I had to choose between them, I’d choose wheelchair rugby league every time.

You get the adrenaline of the hits and collisions, but it is also genuinely inclusive. Young and old, people with and without disabilities, men and women can all play together on the same team.

My daughter wants to play now too!

To find out more about Team Colostomy UK and how you can get involved email Getinvolved@ColostomyUK.org or follow @TeamColostomy UK on Instagram and X