The wheelchair rugby player changing perceptions, one match at a time

At first glance, wheelchair rugby may not seem like the obvious sport for someone who spent much of her childhood feeling self-conscious about her disability. But for 25-year-old Nur Sabrina, it has become far more than just a game.

The Singapore athlete, who was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease as a child, has gone on to make history as the only female wheelchair rugby player at the ASEAN Para Games. Along the way, she has discovered confidence, community and a renewed belief in her own abilities. As Singapore prepares to host the inaugural Wheelchair Rugby Super Week from 18 to 21 June, Sabrina reflects on the journey that brought her to the court and the lessons she hopes more people will take away from adaptive sport.

Growing up with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Nur Sabrina’s journey began long before she discovered wheelchair rugby.

Her parents first noticed changes in her walking when she was just two years old. She often walked on tiptoes, but it would take years before doctors could identify the cause. At eight, she was diagnosed with polyneuropathy, a symptom of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and began physiotherapy and occupational therapy. She eventually started wearing ankle-foot orthoses and finger splints to support her balance, mobility and motor skills.

While these devices helped her physically, adjusting to them emotionally was not always easy.

“Starting to use the AFO and finger splints made me feel vulnerable at first,” she says.

Growing up, Sabrina often felt embarrassed about showing her disability to new friends and classmates. Instead, she focused on her studies, finding confidence in her achievements and proving to herself that she was capable of more than others might assume.

At home, however, she found unwavering support.

“My parents raised me no differently from my able-bodied siblings, which helped me feel like my true self,” she says. Her mother, in particular, has always been someone she could confide in and who encouraged her to make her own choices.

That support would eventually give her the confidence to step far outside her comfort zone.

Discovering wheelchair rugby

Two years ago, after fracturing her ankle, Sabrina began water therapy. It was through her swimming coach that she first heard about wheelchair rugby. Having never participated in a team para sport before, she was intrigued.

“I’ve always wanted to experience a sport in a wheelchair,” she says. “When I met the right people who encouraged me to try something new, I didn’t want to lose that chance.”

Still, stepping onto the court for the first time was intimidating.

Wheelchair rugby is known for its speed, physicality and strategic gameplay. Sabrina remembers feeling nervous and doubtful, having not played a team sport in years. But those nerves quickly gave way to excitement.

“The first time I played, it was thrilling. The sound of metal clashing and the motivational shouts from teammates made the atmosphere electrifying,” she recalls. “It reminded me how much I missed the rush of competition.”

Today, it is the sense of teamwork that keeps her returning to the sport.

“I love the teamwork that defines every game,” she says. “Wheelchair rugby constantly challenges me to learn new strategies and improve.”

Breaking barriers on the court

Sabrina made history as the only female wheelchair rugby player representing Singapore at the ASEAN Para Games, a moment she still describes as surreal. One memory stands out in particular. During Singapore’s final match against Thailand, she heard Team Nila cheering her on from the stands.

“It was like a dream come true,” she says.

After the match, several young girls approached her for photographs.

“It warmed my heart knowing I had inspired them. I love seeing women thriving in male-dominated fields and now I’m considered one too.”

Being one of the few women in the sport has come with challenges. At times, Sabrina says it can feel lonely competing in a space where female participation remains relatively rare.

During a recent competition in Bali, she encountered another reminder of the barriers that still exist. The female toilet at the venue was not wheelchair accessible. After she raised the issue, organisers worked to find an alternative solution.

“There are moments where it can feel intimidating being seen as the weak spot of the team,” she says. “But that only pushes me to prove otherwise.”

Rather than letting those moments discourage her, Sabrina uses them as motivation.

“There are times when new players test me by tackling me more easily,” she says. “Each time I hold my ground, I show that women can thrive in this sport.”

She also hopes to encourage more women and girls with disabilities to explore adaptive sports.

“You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you try,” she says. “To my fellow disabled girlies, there’s definitely something out there for you. Grab the opportunity and trust the process.”

Finding confidence and community

For Sabrina, wheelchair rugby has transformed more than just her physical fitness.

“Playing a sport has done wonders for my physical and personal growth,” she says. “I’ve gained confidence in my body and pride in what I’ve achieved.”

The sport has also encouraged her to become more independent. She switched to a lightweight wheelchair to stay active, giving her greater freedom compared to the motorised mobility aid she previously used. Most importantly, wheelchair rugby has helped her embrace her disability rather than hide it.

“Being in a circle that understands my disability has helped me embrace my differences and see them as strengths,” she says.

That shift in mindset now shapes how she approaches challenges both on and off the court.

“Most challenges begin in the mind before they appear in reality,” she says. “Trust in myself and my teammates, combined with determination, gives me the strength to push through obstacles.”

Challenging perceptions of disability sport

As awareness of adaptive sports continues to grow, Sabrina hopes more people will challenge their assumptions. One of the biggest misconceptions, she says, is that wheelchair rugby is somehow less intense than able-bodied sport.

“In reality, it is a mixed-gender sport where everyone competes together,” she explains. “The game is built on strategy, skill and teamwork.”

She is equally passionate about changing perceptions of athletes with disabilities.

“It’s easy to assume athletes with disabilities have it easier, as if the benchmark is lowered,” she says. “In reality, we’re giving our 200 per cent.”

As Singapore prepares to host the inaugural Wheelchair Rugby Super Week, Sabrina is looking forward to competing on home ground and learning from some of the world’s best players and coaches.

But beyond the competition, she hopes the event will inspire greater understanding of disability sport and encourage more people to give it a chance. After all, that willingness to try something new is what changed her own life.

And if Sabrina’s journey proves anything, it’s that strength is not defined by limitations, but by the courage to keep pushing beyond them.