Laois pride as Portlaoise man picked for Irish wheelchair rugby squad for European Championships

Portlaoise’s Daniel Wolski has been selected to represent Ireland in wheelchair rugby at the 2025 European Championship Division C in Norway. The tournament will take place from October 8–12 and marks a major milestone in Wolski’s sporting journey.

Wolski first discovered wheelchair rugby after a life-changing accident in 2018.

"In 2018, I had an accident while on holiday. I was leaving the beach to grab some water from a shop, and as I climbed the stairs, my legs suddenly went very weak. I knew I had to sit down, and the only thing nearby was a small wall beside the stairs, but it had a 2–3 meter drop on the other side. The next thing I remember was waking up after falling over that wall. That accident changed my life, but it also led me to wheelchair rugby, which has given me purpose, drive, and an amazing team around me," Wolski said on his Facebook page.

Since then, he has become a dedicated athlete, training and competing with the Irish squad as they prepare for the European Championships.

But like many amateur athletes, Wolski now faces the challenge of funding his participation. Each player must raise around €2,000 to cover essential costs such as flights, accommodation, and competition fees.

"Reaching this goal will make sure I can take part and give my all on the court for Ireland. I’d be so grateful for any help in reaching this goal. Every single donation, no matter the size, makes a real difference and helps me get one step closer to representing Ireland on the court. Thank you for being part of this journey with me," Wolski said on his Facebook page.

Supporters can contribute to Daniel’s fundraising effort through his iDonate page.

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