Quad Rugby/Story - Team USA Heads to Worlds

UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

May 2002

Defending World Champions depart for Sweden

Team USA Wheelchair Rugby is heading to Gothenburg, Sweden this week to compete at the 3rd IWRF Wheelchair Rugby World Championships. Twelve countries will be represented by their National teams at this elite competition, which begins on Tuesday, May 28th. World Championships are held every four years to determine which countries will advance and compete at the Paralympics held two years later.

The United States has never lost an International competition and is the defending World Champions. In recent years other countries have made great strides in improving their skills and players, and they are anxious to have a taste of Gold of their own. Australia and Canada have both imported coaches from the US to help in their efforts. Team USA is guided by Head Coach Kevin Orr, who led a US developmental team to Gold at the 1999 World Wheelchair Games in New Zealand. Returning to the International arena is an exciting prospect for Orr, who has coached the USQRA’s Lakeshore Demolition to an unprecedented four straight National Championships.

If the US is successful in defending its World title they will earn the number one seed at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece. “We can not take any of our opponents lightly” states Orr. The US team is twelve athletes deep in talent, and has been working hard to prepare for Worlds. There is plenty of experience as well, with five Gold medalists from the 2000 US Paralympic team on board. The combination of athletes that have been assembled on this team will give the USA many options to run against its opponents. Aggressive play and wearing down the opposition are a just a few of the traits that Orr instills in his athletes.

The twelve countries attending World Championships in order of their seeding are: USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria. Competition begins on May 28th, and will conclude on June 2nd with the Championship game. Full coverage of Worlds can be found online the host website at www.wcrugby2002.com

For more information on Team USA, including their history and a look at the athletes, you can visit their website at www.quadrugby.com/usa You can also send messages or good wishes to the team while their away on the Team USA Guest Book. Providing internet access can be secured in Sweden Team USA hopes to post regular updates on their progress on the site as well.

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