Post by Lαrα on May 1, 2014 0:31:09 GMT -8
I remember how much i loved playing wheelchair rugby in the spinal unit...i played as a paraplegic but wow these guys who play 'quad rugby' put us to shame. 
Here some interesting information about the game/sport.
Developed in Winnipeg, Canada in 1976, the sport's original name was murderball. The name was then changed to 'wheelchair rugby' and then as it is known presently as 'Quad Rugby'
The game is played in 25 countries around the world and is a summer Paralympic sport.Other countries are developing the sport.
Most players are in fact Quadriplegic and players much have at least 3 limbs with impaired function....so must have lower and upper limb loss of function.
The rules include elements of wheelchair basketball, ice hockey, handball and rugby union.
It is a contact sport and wheelchair contact is a norm as part of the game.
The sport is governed by the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) which was established in 1993
This is not for the faint hearted..these players are serious athletes who play hard..never underestimate a 'quad'! 
Canada's Garett Hickling vs USA's Bryan Kirkland, at a wheelchair rugby game.
The first international tournament was held in 1989 in Toronto, Canada, with teams from Canada, the United States and Great Britain.
In 1990, Wheelchair Rugby first appeared at the World Wheelchair Games as an exhibition event, and in 1993 the sport was recognized as an official international sport for athletes with a disability by the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF).
In the same year, the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) was established as a sports section of ISMWSF to govern the sport.
Wheelchair Rugby Chair
Players use custom made manual wheelchairs that have the required specifications.
Key design features include a front bumper, designed to help strike and hold opposing wheelchairs, and wings, which are positioned in front of the main wheels to make the wheelchair more difficult to stop and hold. All wheelchairs must be equipped with spoke protectors, to prevent damage to the wheels, and an anti-tip device at the back.
Australia verses Canada Gold medal match in Great Britain 2012 (sorry DJ but Australia won....but Butiki will be happy 
)
These guys dont mess about, you gotta watch this vid, its a great match! 
......the referee was almost 'wheeled ' over at one point!
Source
Its a great game forsure.
