Wheelchair rugby
Generally, Rugby is seen as a dangerous game. Thus, many assume that the game cannot be adapted for wheelchair users. This is a profound misconception. Indeed, Wheelchair Rugby is a growing sport amongst young disabled athletes with strong upper limb strength. This is so popular it has become a paralympic Sport. Additionally, various adapted forms of tag rugby exist. An example of Wheelchair Tag Rugby is Wheelchair Power Tag Rugby (WPTR.)
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Wheelchair Power Tag Rugby
Wheelchair Power Tag Rugby is a form of rugby football which is played indoors by two teams of three wheelchairs (two electrics and a manual) who aim to score points in various ways using a medium sized rugby ball.
Origins of Wheelchair Power Tag Rugby
a) History of the Game The origins of the game can be traced back to the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup, when James Cullis and J.Gilmour had the idea of setting up a new sport. This then was the foundation of what became known as Wheelchair Power Tag Rugby.
At the time the two people in question were both at Treloar College in Hampshire, United Kingdom. The initial response from other students was criticism and mocking. However, the sport developed through the setup of a board which included James Cullis, J.Gilmour, D.Slater, T. Hawthorn and later R.Prokeviov.
The trial of the game The board ran a trial for a short period of time as a kind of experiment. The game's trial was relatively successful despite being played by small numbers. The trial proved that game could have been more successful if there had been greater interest in Rugby in the College. Thus, the game hasn't been established as an official sport at the College.
Nevertheless, it is believed the sport itself will continue to be played on amateur basis by individuals with an interest in Tag Rugby. This game demonstrates that disability can be overcome and rugby should be available to all.
b) About the Game This version is uncodified as it is a hybrid of the various rugby codes: Tag, Touch, League, Union and Quad Rugby. It is also influenced by American Football. It may be argued that WPTR is most closely related to Tag and Touch Rugby. It is related to Tag and Touch Rugby due to the absence of real physical contact.'
Some basic rules:
Scoring in WPTR
- Tries are scored like Touchdowns in American Football. To score a Try the ball carrier must enter the opposing team's end zone without being tackled twice.
- The try is converted by throwing the ball through the opposition's inflatable rugby posts which are located in the middle of each of the end zones.
- Drop goals are scored by throwing the ball through the opposition's rugby posts.
- Penalties are scored by throwing the ball through the opposition's rugby posts from the position where a serious foul occurred.
Tackling
A tackle is when a player makes contact with the ball carrier or their wheelchair. When this occurs the tackler shouts "Tag". After two tags the tackler is given the ball.
Quad Rugby
- 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 Services, formed the first team, the Wallbangers, and changed the game's name from murderball to quad rugby.
Some Quad Rugby rules:
- Played on a regular sized basketball court by four players from each team.
- During the games team players pass a volleyball back and forth.
- The team must pass the ball into the opponent's half-court within 15 seconds.
- A player with the ball must pass it within 10 seconds.
Similar sports
Flag football and Touch football