STORYVILLE: MADE OF STEEL

STORYVILLE: MADE OF STEEL – 1 X 90 – NOAH / BBC – DIRECTOR: NICK MATTINGLY

“GENUINELY TENSE, THRILLING AND INSPIRING VIEWING” - THE OBSERVER

“A MOVING AND DRAMATIC FILM. GENUINELY TENSE, THRILLING AND INSPIRING VIEWING* - THE TIMES

Back in November 2022, England played host to the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup. The unflinching action and raw passion on display took many new fans by surprise, and as the tournament progressed, audience numbers - both in the stadiums and those watching on television - began to build in a moment of important visibility for the sport.

This 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.

Watch Storyville: Made of Steel: Wheelchair Rugby’s Fiercest Rivalry on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer from 10pm on 10 October