Players Needed:
South Florida
Players Needed:
Since 1992
Come on out and give it a Try!
The only thing you have to loose is a little Blood
For Information Call
(954) 523-3567
About The Rattlers....
The Team
The South Florida Rattlers were first established in 1992 to provide a source of recreation and competition for people with physical disabilities. The initial program was set up by Brenda Cole, a C-5 quadriplegic, who had first seen the game demonstrated by the Paralyzed Veterans Association (PVA) in the South Florida area. Cole felt that there was a need for such a sport locally and was persistent in organizing a team.
The first year was a difficult one for the Rattlers. It was difficult to get the word out about quad rugby and find people in the area that were willing to participate. Some people were afraid that they could be hurt due to the nature of the game, or shied away because the team was not yet organized. Additional problems developed such as acquiring equipment, raising funds and finding a facility to use for practice. Despite the early growing pains, the team survived and now has a group of players that are committed to the team.
The Players
Team members are really the heart of this organization. Most are employed full time and find the sport to be an excellent form of recreation. Besides being players, each member is involved in some way or another with enlightening the communities awareness to the disabled community.
The Rattlers stage several demonstrations each year for local schools and organizations to help promote handicap awareness. Several members meet one on one with people who have recently sustained spinal cord injuries to help encourage and promote their recovery. This can be a motivational factor for recovery as the person sees that there are others that have gone through similar circumstances and have gone on to live a full and satisfying life.
In addition, many of our members volunteer time for several other charities and organizations such as The National Wheelchair Sports Fund, The National Spinal Cord Hotline, The Center for Independent Living, Civitan, and local hospitals and rehabilitation centers to name a few. We believe it is vital to give back to the community in order to educate and help others.
The Needs
Quad rugby is a sport that requires certain equipment that can be quite expensive. The single most costly purchase would be the rugby wheelchair itself. Because rugby is a contact sport, it is required that each players wheelchair has a rigid frame and meets all specifications set by the USQRA to participate in official events. A typical rugby chair will cost between $2,200 to $3,500 and is custom-built for the individual user.
After initial equipment purchases, travel is the greatest recurring expense. Our regional division, (Southeast) includes teams from Tampa, Sarasota, Atlanta, Alabama, New Orleans, and Tennessee. It is expected that Miami will join in our division this season as well. In the past it has not been possible for our team to attend games played outside of Florida due to travel costs. Funding is needed so that we can participate fully in regional events as well as cross-regional and national competitions in the future.
Some of the other typical expenses incurred by the team each year are listed below.
- Parts and equipment maintenance. Each chair will use approximately two sets of tires at a cost of $50 per set. Other part replacements may include bearings, rims, tubes, axle's, spoke protectors, etc....
- Players wear gloves to aid in pushing and will wear out two to three pairs per season depending on the player at a cost of $30 per pair.
- Team uniforms and T-shirts.
- Insurance fees, USQRA dues, Tournament fees.
- Promotional costs such as printing, preparation of material and postage.