In November 2022, venues in Manchester, Sheffield and London played host to the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup – and the Storyville cameras followed for Made of Steel, which debuts tonight.
The unflinching action and raw passion on display won many new fans, and as the tournament progressed towards the final at the 10,900-capacity Manchester Central on November 18, audience numbers – both in the stadiums and those watching on television – began to build in a moment of important visibility for the sport.
Storyville’s film tells the inside story of the world’s two best wheelchair rugby league teams, England and France, with privileged access to each side’s progress through the tournament , their rivalry and claims of unfairness as non-disabled players tackle disabled team players as they fight towards a winner-takes-all meeting in the final.
Following players from each squad both on and off the pitch also introduces us to the varied characters who play and coach this demanding sport, discovering the circumstances that brought them to the game and hearing about the often different philosophies they have on the subject of who should take part and what makes a sport inclusive.
Made of Steel is a story of grit, sacrifice and determination, but above all about a fierce sporting rivalry between two teams who were both intent on coming out on top.
Made of Steel: Wheelchair Rugby’s Fiercest Rivalry is on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer from 10pm this evening (October 10, 2023)
