| July 2004 | ISSUE NO. 0704.03 | ||
Greetings, On behalf of the 2004-2005 Board of Directors, I would like to take a minute to update you on what is going on in the USQRA. First, a HUGE thank you to Ed Suhr and Brad Mikkelson for the outstanding dedication, work and time they have lent to the sport and our association. As outgoing board members they have served faithfully, and helped us evolve to new heights. Their shoes will be tough to fill. Along those same lines at the AGM elections, new board members John Ershek (Treasurer), Rob Krows (Vice President), and James Gumbert (President) were voted into office. Along with Kevin Orr (Vice President), Charles Ray (Secretary), and Tom Hamill (Commissioner), the board looks to continue the work of previous boards and is excited about the future. A big thank you also needs to go to Jill Farmer and the entire crew at Frazier Rehab for their dedication and hard work in putting together a top-notch National tournament. Plans are already underway for next year’s Nationals to once again be held in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to thank you sentiments, other upcoming events the board is working on are: USQRA Clinics, collaboration with IWRF for both technical and Spanish interpretations of the rules, registration for 2004-2005 season and support for Team USA in Athens. In closing, it is a privilege to serve you the players and volunteers. The Executive Committee looks forward to working for you and addressing your concerns. If you need to reach any of us please contact us from the USQRA Zone. In
Rugby, First Vice President – Rob Krows Player Residency The U.S.Q.R.A. is looking for input regarding which teams athletes can play for. The current rule basically states that a player must play for the team that is closest to their place of residence. The problem is, however, what constitutes a player's residence. We currently accept a driver's license as proof of residence. It is very easy to get a driver's license in other states. We can even have our mail directed to someone’s address in another state. Does this mean we have established ourselves as a resident at that address? No. We can live on one coast and play for a team on the other coast and still play by the rules. The U.S.Q.R.A. wants your input regarding this rule. Should we make more stipulations such as having proof of utility bill with the player's name on it (universities use utility bills as proof of residency)? Or are their other ways we can determine someone’s actual place of residency? Please send all comments and suggestions to robkrows@yahoo.com. Rob
Krows Hello to the USQRA Membership: Just a quick note to say thank you for the privilege of being able to serve you all as the new Treasurer of the USQRA. I am excited about serving on the Board with Tom, James, Kevin, Rob and Charles. I will do everything I can to promote and continue to move the league forward in a positive manner. If there is anything I can address for anyone as a team or an individual, please feel free to contact me. I can be reached at (615)-294-8184 or e-mailed at johnershek@comcast.net.
Yours in Rugby, As we come off one of the most competitive quad rugby seasons in memory, I hope everyone is preparing for a season to surpass it in 2004-2005. Teams can help everyone with schedule planning by timely posting their tournaments for the season. Players intending to transfer teams are reminded that they must notify the team they are leaving and request a transfer from the Commissioner, in writing, by September 30. Tom
Hamill The USQRA Annual General Meeting was held prior to the start of Nationals on Thursday, April 22nd. Twelve proposed amendments to the USQRA Constitution and Bylaws were voted on by the membership of which five were adopted. Twenty-one teams were represented in person and five voted via proxy. Minutes from the meeting will be forwarded to all team representatives and posted on the USQRA website. Below are the results of the membership voting: · Add a Recreational team status
Vote was called. · Restore international players to 2 players per team.
Vote was called. · The $500 fee levied against teams that roster international players be lifted.
Vote was called. · Canadian teams be included within the USQRA
Vote was called. · Proposal to eliminate the Team Transfer rule
Vote was called. · Remove the requirement to sit out postseason for a transfer to a higher ranked team.
Vote was called. · Repeal the requirement to play in two tournaments.
Vote was called. · Request for medical exemption from game requirements
Vote was called. · Definition of a game
Vote was called. · Proposal to amend dues to include classification costs
Vote was called. · Amend team transfer procedures
Vote was called. · Adopt IWRF rules in full
Vote was called. A friendly amendment passed to allow any jersey number and roster size of 15 athletes. In addition to the Constitution and Bylaw changes above, a one year resolution was adopted for player transfer exemptions. It reads as follows: “If a player transfers to a higher ranked team, the transferring player may submit a rationale for the transfer to petition for the ability to be eligible for post season play to the Commissioner and the Board. A majority vote must be gained by this Committee to allow the player to be eligible for play. 1) USQRA Board has discretion to allow an exception to the player transfer rule after reviewing the transfer request. The request must state a clear and convincing rationale for the Board to allow an exception to the rule. The USQRA Board will make the final decision.” A copy of the updated bylaws can also be found on the USQRA websites File Library The 2004-05 season will be approaching fast and the USQRA is constantly trying to improve communication to the membership. We have new National Champions in both Division I and Division II, several new Board members, and a renewed vigor to move our sport forward. The Board encourages open communication with the members. Your comments and suggestions on ways to improve our sport are welcome. Please feel free to contact me at chazfray@bellsouth.net . Enjoy the summer and give your support to Team USA as they go for the Gold!
Charles Ray USA
takes Number one Seed for Athens at Canada Cup - Great Britain wins bronze
medal
BURNABY, British Columbia --The United States won a close 33-32 final to
win the Canada Cup, an International Pre-Paralympic Wheelchair Rugby
Tournament involving National Teams from five countries. The game was a
close affair with the US leading throughout in front of a capacity crowd
at Bonsor Recreation Centre in Burnaby, BC.
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