Quad Rugby/Story - 2003 Rugby Clinics

UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

November, 2003

Wheelchair Rugby is alive in the USA
by Wendy Gumbert

BlazeSports Clubs of America, and the United States Quad Rugby Association came together to bring four rugby clinics to various areas of the USA in recent months. The clinics are a vital part of developing new teams and athletes, as well as molding the intermediate athlete into an advanced player.

Each clinic had a very dedicated local host or BlazeSports Club that did all the logistical work. Michigan Sports Unlimited hosted the Bay City, Michigan clinic on September 11-14. The Tampa, Florida clinic (September 19-21) was hosted by the BlazeSports Club of Tampa Bay/Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation. On October 3-5 in Addison, Illinois two BlazeSports Clubs joined together to host their clinic. The Illinois clinic was hosted by Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association and Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. The final clinic in 2003 was hosted by BlazeSports Georgia and was held in Atlanta, Georgia at the Shepherd Center on October 11. Each clinic was taught by coaches and staff of the US Paralympics Rugby High Performance Training Program. Many thanks to Kevin Orr, Brad Mikkelsen, David Jenkins, Bill Renje, Sam Gloor, and Wendy Gumbert for their time and dedication to further developing this great sport.

In addition to athlete and coaches clinics, Tampa and Illinois both hosted referee training. Many thanks to the teaching Zebras; Tim Davis, Joe Wong, Tres Smith, and Aaron Banfield. Lauren Rosen conducted a classification clinic in conjunction with the Tampa clinic.

Wheelchair Rugby, formerly know as Murder Ball back in the 70’s in Canada, was at one time deemed the fastest growing wheelchair sport in the world. Today the USQRA is seeing a decline in its participation numbers. However, the sport still might be the fastest growing sport in the world due to its rapid international growth. With less than 40 teams in the US this season, there are still more potential participants here with limitations in at least three extremities than any other nation. BlazeSports and USQRA are committed to continuing to host developmental clinics in the years to come in an effort to bring sport to these people and to expand the growth of wheelchair rugby throughout the USA again.

For three days the US Paralympic Rugby High Performance coaches and athletes try to teach new and developing athletes everything they need, from fundamental skills to game strategies. Fridays are usually focused on fundamentals of the game, this being the most important day, teaching the skills necessary for an athlete to successfully implement game strategies. Saturday is spent going through defenses and offenses, as well as elite game strategies. On the final day the athletes, coaches, and officials get to try their new skills out in a little friendly scrimmage opportunity.

The 2003 clinics served over 80 developing athletes, coaches, officials, and classifiers. We are beginning to set up the 2004 clinics now, so if you are interested in bringing a clinic to your area please call the Unites States Quad Rugby Association President, Ed Suhr at (503) 238-1324 or email esuhr@aol.com. We look forward to seeing lots of new faces at the 2004 rugby clinics.

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