18 US Athletes heading for 2003 World Wheelchair Games

Team USA is heading to Christchurch, New Zealand this week to compete at the 2003 World Wheelchair Games. Formally known as the “Stoke Mandeville Games”, the city of Christchurch played host to the games in 1999, and really did a fantastic job. Eleven different sports will be played from October 25th to November 1st, and will be overseen by the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation. The Stoke Mandeville games were first held in 1948, and sixteen wheelchair athletes from two teams competed.

The United States will be represented in three sports, Athletics, Cue Sport and Wheelchair Rugby. This year’s rugby competition will feature seven teams from five countries. Host country New Zealand has entered two teams as did Canada, while Great Britain, South Africa and the US chose to enter one each. With only seven teams the rugby competition has been set to allow maximum playing opportunities for each squad instead of the traditional pool play.

While this tournament will have no affect on the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation World Rankings, it should provide some great competition and give those countries already qualified for the 2004 Paralympics a chance to work some of their younger athletes. In 1999, the United States won the Gold medal in Rugby, followed by New Zealand with Silver, and Australia the Bronze.  

The US Athletes and Staff traveling to Christchurch are as follows:

Athletics: Jeff Hantz, John Roberts, Nathan Taylor, Kelly Timms, David Troxell, Dylan Young, Wendy Gumbert–Athletics Coach

Cue Sport: Charlie Hans, Judy Huber

Wheelchair Rugby: Cliff Chunn, Andy Cohn, Will Groulx, Scott Hogsett, Dave Jenkins, Rob Krows, Dean Maccabe, Lynn Nelson, Brent Poppen, Mark Zupan, Kevin Orr–Coach, James Gumbert–Asst. Coach, Keri Myers–Trainer, Jane Thomas-Nurse, John Bishop–Manager, Marty Frierson–Equipment Manager

Delegation Leaders - Dennis Runyan, Andy Chasanoff

For more information you can visit www.quadrugby.com or contact John Bishop at jbishop@quadrugby.com. Providing internet access can be secured in Christchurch the team hopes to post regular updates on the Rugby Calendar and Rugby Talk areas of their website.