The 12-country event will be held September 16-25 at the Richmond Olympic Oval, which will be converted to a multi-use facility after it hosts speed skating at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

 

"It's an unbelievable feeling," said Kathy Newman, executive director of the British Columbia Wheelchair Sports Association (BCWSA) and chair of the bid committee.

 

"Our team that went to Ottawa to present the bid (to the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation) was just amazing and did an outstanding job to convey our message.

 

"And the experience we had with the basketball bid really helped us bring it home."

 

In 2005, BCWSA bid on the 2010 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships but lost out to Birmingham.

 

This time, Canada won out over Britain to host the event..

 

Developed by three Canadians from Winnipeg, Manitoba including BC's own Duncan Campbell, wheelchair rugby was the fan favourite at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia and in Athens in 2004.

 

With mechanics and rules borrowed from team handball, ice hockey and basketball, the four-aside game is played indoors and is the only full contact sport for athletes with a disability.

 

The United States are the reigning world champions after defeating New Zealand 34-30 at the 2006 worlds in Christchurch, New Zealand., while Canada took the bronze with a 23-19 win over Great Britain.

 

Newman said the budget for the 2010 worlds will be $1.4 million.

 

Seating capacity in the Richmond Oval will be about 2,500.

 

Newman said the bid committee focussed on what she called the "Vancouver advantage" in the bid process, with the main thing being that the event can capitalize on awareness gained from Vancouver/Whistler hosting the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics.

 

She also said it was a real plus that the venue, the host hotel, access to the new Canada Line rapid transit, medical facilities and entertainment are all within a one-kilometre radius.