Gemma Lumsdaine: GB wheelchair rugby star sheds light on gender barriers and important rise of WR Women's Cup

01/06/2025 11:17 AM

When Great Britain secured bronze at the 2024 Women’s Wheelchair Rugby Cup, it was more than just a medal, it was a statement. At the heart of the team's incredible journey was Gemma Lumsdaine, a trailblazer on the court and a tireless advocate for disabled women in sport.

The 2024 Wheelchair Rugby Women’s Cup marked a major milestone for Gemma and her team. It was an end-to-end bronze final triumph over France that sealed the hardware, with the Great Britain women’s set-up defeating the hosts in their own back yard. Reflecting on the tournament, she shared her thoughts in an exclusive interview with Ruck.

“Yeah, I am massively proud. We have a really young team, which includes two 16-year-olds. We had a really intense game against France on their home soil to win the bronze medal. The game was up and down, but we showed a lot of resilience and determination to get the bronze.

“To be able to come back with silverware and to see how well we played during the week was incredible. A lot of the players we competed against were Paralympians, and for some of the girls, it was their first time experiencing this level of intensity. I was really pleased that we were able to win because we fought so hard in that game. I’ve never experienced a game quite like it. The French crowd was booing us every time we got a turnover. It was really intense, but it also kind of gave us that drive to push forward.”

Gemma’s memories of the narrow 46-44 victory over France in the bronze medal final highlight the intensity and strategic brilliance of the match. A wheelchair rugby Test match is often decided by the finest margins, with the French fans in attendance doing their best to swing momentum towards Les Bleus.

“I mean, it was very tight. We were comfortable for the majority of the game, but they used their crowd effectively to increase the intensity. To be honest, I just loved it, it was such a battle. Wheelchair rugby is all about getting small advantages, and every second counted. I had a lot of confidence in our team. We stuck to what we know best and were able to play our game, which was really positive. I would relive it all over and over again.”

The Women’s Cup also underscored the importance of fostering female participation in wheelchair rugby, a sport historically dominated by men. Whilst wheelchair rugby is a mixed gender sport on paper, the elite level often sees male only sides compete at the Paralympics, with the Women’s Cup providing the perfect platform for showcasing skills.

“The competition at the Women’s Cup is massive.” Lumsdaine added. “We have lots of talented women who play, but being able to compete against other women at a high level is a huge confidence booster. It also provides a better indicator of performance, as competing against males can sometimes make it difficult to gauge where you are.

“When it’s just women, the atmosphere is different, a real buzz and a positive environment where women feel comfortable, confident, and able to thrive. Seeing so many women collectively playing wheelchair rugby is empowering, especially for high-point women, who can show what they can do and dominate the game.”

Gemma is also a dedicated wheelchair rugby coach for the Dundee Dragons. The star of Scotland has played a significant role in encouraging more women to participate in wheelchair rugby, with the talent pool steadily growing North of the boarder.

“I’m super invested. We haven’t seen a massive growth in numbers, but within disability sport, it’s a very small community, so increasing participation is a long-term effort. What I have seen is a lot of young girls growing in confidence and some even moving into coaching. We also have quite an even split between men and women at the club, which is rare. By creating a positive culture, we hope to see female participation grow year on year.”

Beyond her on-court career, Gemma is a motivational speaker and advocate for disability inclusion within sport. Her recent talk at a disabled women and girls’ sports event made a tangible impact upon the lives of the participants. “Two weeks before flying to Paris, I spoke at a come-and-try event for disabled women and girls. I shared my journey, representing GB and the importance of being active and believing in yourself. There were 96 participants, and a significant number went on to join sports clubs. It's important to have relatable role models with lived experiences to show young girls what's possible.”

Gemma has also previously helped shape the policies regarding disability sport, through her former role on the Scottish Women and Girls in Sport Advisory Board. “When I was on the board, my focus was on intersectionality, particularly looking at disabled women. Disabled women are the most inactive due to dual barriers, low female participation and low participation among disabled people. I worked on bridging the gap between grassroots sports and government policies, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity were central considerations.”

Lumsdaine’s tremendous work has been rewarded, as she was bestowed the 2018 COV (Coach, Official and Volunteer) Award and being named on the 2021 Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 List, which underscores her influence and dedication to the space. “Being on the Shaw Trust Power 100 was such an honor. Looking at the difference others on the list are making is inspiring. As an athlete representing my country, I see it as a responsibility to create change and advocate for those who may not have a voice.”

Notably, Gemma was the only Scottish player in the 2024 Women’s Cup squad, a fact that fills her with pride and fuels her ambition whenever she takes to the court. “It's a bit of my own motivation to achieve my goals, but also, it's about representing Scotland. I was representing GB, but to also represent Scotland was really nice. Hopefully, this will pave the way for more women to get involved in wheelchair rugby and sport in general within Scotland.”

Gemma also reflected on Team GB's performance at the 2024 Paralympic Games, where they finished fourth. Whilst not apart of the on-court action, she enjoyed watching the likes of Aaron Phipps and David Ross battle it out this past Summer in the French capital.

“I was lucky enough to go to Paris and watch some of the games, which was incredible. GB was really strong, particularly in the pool games, with an amazing one-point win against France. Although we didn't get the bronze, losing to Australia in a tight game, I think they showed the level we can perform at. The top six teams in the world are so close; it all comes down to the day. The performance was strong, and the team fought every second of it, showing resilience and determination.”

Looking ahead to her own upcoming fixtures, and Gemma has an exciting calendar booked in for 2025. The finishing touches are being out in place to confirm another Women's Wheelchair Rugby International Competition, to be held in Leicester next year. “In terms of GB, I think there are plans for an international women's competition during the Women's Rugby World Cup next year. That's a big goal for me, to be selected for that, especially as it's in Great Britain. I also have European club tournaments and invitations to play abroad with different teams. It's amazing to travel, compete, and see different countries.”

Gemma's journey is a testament to the transformative power of sport, not only in achieving personal milestones but in paving the way for others to follow. A star for Glasgow Wheelchair Rugby, Lumsdaine is also set to take to the court for RGC Wheelchair Rugby (Rygbi Gogledd Cymru – North Wales), North East Bulls, and the Ospreys, before she will once again don the blue, red and white of Team GB for an exciting international campaign.

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