Sports & Recreation Quad Rugby
Mr. David Hossick
2430 Depew St.
Edgewater, CO 80214
303-288-4377
Email:ibgimpn@msn.com
CONGRATULATIONS !
DENVER HARLEQUINS
2007 Division I National Champions!
Quad Rugby, or wheelchair rugby as it is also called, is a sport
with roots going back to wheelchair basketball and ice hockey,
which is not surprising, since it was developed by three Canadians
from Winnipeg, Manitoba as a quadriplegic equivalent to wheelchair
basketball. The sport was originally called murderball due to
the aggressive nature of the game. It was introduced in the United
States in 1981 by Brad Mikkelsen, who with the aid of the University
of North Dakota's Disabled Student Service's, formed the first
team, the Wallbangers, and changed the game's name from murderball
to quad rugby.
In 1979, a team from Winnipeg organized an exhibition at the regional
track meet held at Southwest State University in Minnesota. Canada
went on to play their first national championship that same year.
The first quad rugby match in the US was between North Dakota
and Minnesota, as an exhibition game at the 1982 National Wheelchair
games, also held at Southwest State University. This same year,
the University of South Dakota hosted the first international
tournament, with participating teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan,
North Dakota, and Minnesota.
In 1988, the United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA) was
formed to help regulate and promote the sport on both a national
and international level. Since its introduction, Quad Rugby has
grown to become a truly international sport, with teams now competing
from around the globe. There are now more than forty-five organized
teams in the United States with many others in the developmental
stage. In addition to the teams in the US, there is estimated
to be at least twenty international teams from as far away as
Australia in addition to those in Canada. Without question, quad
rugby is the fastest growing wheelchair sport in the world today.
Wheelchair rugby combines elements of basketball, football and
ice hockey and it is played on a basketball court. The teams are
formed by four players and up to eight substitutes. The four players
on the court cannot exceed 8.0 points. A volleyball is used and
it can be carried, dribbled, or passed in any way except by kicking.
The ball must be bounced at least once every 10 seconds. Athletes
try to score goals by carrying the ball over the opponent's goal
line. Wheelchair Rugby is played in four eight minute (stop-time)
quarters.
Players must have a combination of upper and lower extremity
impairment to be considered as eligible to participate. Most of
the players have sustained cervical level spinal injuries and
have some type of quadriplegia as a result. Players are given
a classification number from one of seven classifications ranging
from 0.5 - 3.5. The 0.5 player has the greatest impairment and
is comparable to a C5 quadriplegic. Of those eligible to participate,
the 3.5 player has the least impairment and is similar to a C7-8
incomplete quadriplegic.
In 2000, Team USA won the Paralympic Goal medal beating Australia in the Finals.
Denver Harlequins Wheelchair Rugby
The Harlequins practice every Wednesday night from 6:30PM until 9:00PM at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital in Denver. Practice begins in early September and concludes at the end of April. See the team schedule.
For more information on practices and game scheduling please contact Curt Garrett at 720-275-4346 or at cercules@comcast.net.
| RESOURCES & UPCOMING EVENTS | ||||||||
Dear Quad Rugby Supporter: The Denver Harlequins wheelchair rugby team in association with the Quad Rugby Organization (QRO) are proud to announce the 7th annual BUCK THE RAIDERS fundraiser on Sunday, September 27th, 2009 from 12-6pm. Come meet the athletes of the Denver Harlequins quad rugby team while watching the Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders at the Irish Rover. Please come on by and help support the Denver Harlequins quad rugby team. Event Details: What: Buck the Raiders Fundraiser When: Sunday, September 27th, 2:00pm Where: The Irish Rover, 54 South Broadway (Broadway and Archer), Denver How Much: $20 if you RSVP online with a Facebook Event RSVP (link below) or e-mail Ron. Otherwise it is $25 at the door. Facebook Event Link >> We'll see you there!
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12200 East Iliff Avenue
Suite 107
Aurora, CO 80014
303-597-0038
1-800-833-9400
Fax: 303-597-0039
Email: info@mscpva.org



