Portlaoise athlete's incredible journey to Wheelchair Rugby European Championships

Six months ago, Daniel Wolski had never played Wheelchair Rugby. The 27-year-old Portlaoise resident has been named on the Irish Wheelchair Rugby squad for the 2025 WWR European Championships, Division C, set to take place in Skien, Norway, from October 8-12.

Wolski’s rapid rise in the sport is a story of remarkable resilience. A former basketball player and brown belt in karate, his life changed in an instant during a holiday in Tenerife. A sudden fainting spell caused him to fall, resulting in a C6-C7 spinal cord injury. "Losing that level of mobility was the hardest challenge I had to face," Wolski admitted.

"It was frustrating not being able to do the things I loved, but the experience also forced me to mature faster. It taught me to appreciate the things I still have and never give up just because something is hard."

Introduced to the sport by a friend, Wolski found that Wheelchair Rugby reignited his competitive fire. "Finding Wheelchair Rugby gave me back a part of myself I thought I’d lost. It reignited the athlete in me," he said.

He was immediately drawn to the physicality of the game. "People might think that being in wheelchairs makes it less intense, but it’s actually the opposite. My first big fall after a hit proved that to me. It honestly made me realise I’d found my sport."

Daniel now plays with IWA-Sport Club, Leinster Wheelchair Rugby Club.

His selection to the national team was a deeply emotional moment. "Being selected for the European Championships Division C was one of the happiest moments for me," he shared. "Hearing I’d be going to Norway showed that all the effort I put in at training was noticed. I never thought I’d get the chance to represent Ireland on an international stage."

As an amateur organisation, the team’s journey to Norway is funded by community support, with each player tasked with raising approximately €2000 to cover essential costs. With a personal goal to "learn as much as I can and grow as a player," Wolski says the team’s objective is clear: "to win the tournament."

To support Daniel Wolski’s journey to the European Championships, donations can be made through his official iDonate page.

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