A RUGBY-LIKE sport played using electric wheelchairs is set to be tried out in Warrington at the weekend.

The GB Power Hockey Association and Warrington Wolves Foundation are holding a taster day at Birchwood Leisure Centre on Saturday.

Power hockey is a sport played using power wheelchairs with a specialised electric bumper which can trap and shoot a hockey-sized ball.

The contact-based power-sport is primarily played by people who have Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or have had strokes.

"My dad calls it 'Robot Wars'; other people liken it to bumper cars such is the nature of the game," said Ellis Palmer, secretary of the GB Power Hockey Association.

"It’s the most rugby-like sport I’ve had the opportunity to participate in as an electric wheelchair user.

“I have cerebral palsy and would love to have played wheelchair rugby growing up, but the nature of my disability meant that I couldn’t do so, so this sport is the best alternative for me and many other electric wheelchair users who are rugby fans and who want to play a contact sport."

He added: “We’re really excited to bring the taster day to the community in Warrington and Birchwood.

This is GB Power Hockey Association's first collaboration with a rugby league club, through the Warrington Wolves Foundation.

“It’s truly open to everyone - many of our players in our hubs around the country would struggle to play wheelchair rugby league because they cannot control their limbs, but they excel at this sport,” said Palmer, who plays in the Power Hockey League for its Greenbank (Liverpool) hub.

The session at Birchwood will take place between 1pm and 5pm.

It is open to everyone, but the sport is specifically designed for powerchair users.

If participants require assistance transferring from their normal chair, the GB Power Hockey Association will be providing a hoist, but they should take their own sling.