The Game of Quad Rugby

Quad rugby is a sport for people and athletes who have upper body disabilities. The event typically takes place on a basketball court in which the players are in wheelchairs. Originally known as “murder ball,” quad rugby has changed into a popular Paralympic sport practiced in over twenty countries. Established in 1993, the sport of quad rugby is governed by the International Wheelchair Rugby Federations.

• United States Quad Rugby Association: Official website of the USQRA with information about the game, photos and videos, news and events and sponsors.
• Wheelchair Sports Federation: Information about the history of quad rugby, eligibility requirements, equipment and the Quad Rugby Point System.
• United Cerebral Palsy Foundation: Learn about the benefits of playing quad rugby, classification information, general rules and court regulations.
• Quad Rugby Video Fact Sheet: Detailed overview of the sport of wheelchair rugby and videos of a quad rugby team and game.

Wheelchair, or quad, rugby was developed in 1976 in the country of Canada by five Canadian wheelchair athletes. Jerry Terwin, Randy Dueck, Chris Sargent, Duncan Campbell and Paul LeJeune created quad rugby to be a sport for quadriplegics. The sport required its players to dribble and shoot baskets. Each team is made up of four players and allowed unlimited substitutes. Quad rugby is played with a volleyball which is carried, batted or passed with the object of the game being to get the ball across the 20 meter goal. Chair contact with other players with or without the ball is encouraged and the player with the ball must dribble or pass the ball in intervals of ten seconds.

• Quad Rugby History: The history of quad rugby (wheelchair rugby), field dimensions and rules of the game.
• How to Play Quad Rugby: Rules and regulations of quad rugby the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation.
• USA Paralympics: Official United States of America Paralympic website with performance plans, selection procedures and team rosters.
• Adaptive Sports Program: Wheelchair rugby as an adaptive sports program as a rehabilitation option with videos of a quad rugby game.

In 2005, a documentary film called ‘Murderball’ was directed by Henry Alex Rubin and Dana Adam Shapiro. The Oscar nominated film focuses on the rivalry between Canadian and U.S rugby teams. The low budget film is about quadriplegics who play the sport of quad (wheelchair) rugby which lead up to the 2004 Paralympics games. The film was nominated in the 78th Academy Awards for ‘Best Documentary Feature’. The major international quad rugby competitions are held in Zone Championships, or each odd numbered year. In even numbered years, the World Championships are held, opposite the Paralympics Games and the Summer Paralympics Games.

• Murderball Film Overview: Plot overview, cast and release date of the 2005 documentary film, ‘Murderball’.
• Quad Rugby Organization: Resources and guidance dedicated to wheelchair rugby players.
• Wheelchair Rugby Athlete Guide: In-depth guide to the sport of quad rugby with player point systems and important rules.

Quad rugby is a competitive, fast-paced sport for individuals with quadriplegia. There are over 50 hard-hitting quad rugby teams in the United States alone and over 20 international teams, making this wheelchair sport one of the most popular Paralympic events.

• Wheelchair Rugby Australia: National Wheelchair Rugby League entry pack, rules and regulations, teams, history and sponsorship.
• Therapeutic Recreation: Quad rugby rules and resources for use of the sport in a therapeutic environment.
• 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships: New and championship information and events for September 17-26, 2010.

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