3/25/2009

2009 U.S. Quad Rugby National Championship Tournament to be Hosted in Louisville April 3-5

Who:   United States Quad Rugby Association
          Top 8 – Division I and Top 8 Division II Teams (Total of 16 teams)

What:   What:  2009 United States Quad Rugby National Championship Tournament

When:     Friday, April 3      9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.    Games
              Saturday, April 4  9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Games
              Sunday, April 5    9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.   Games
              12:00 p.m.         Division II Championship Game
              1:30 p.m.           Division I Championship Game
              3:00 p.m.           Awards Ceremony

Where: Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center- Broadbent Arena

(LOUISVILLE, KY)   Frazier Rehab Institute and Louisville Metro Parks-Adapted Leisure Activities are pleased to present, as host and organizer for the fifth time, the United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA) 2009 National Championship Tournament.  Frazier Rehab Institute and Louisville Metro Parks will once again provide the opportunity for the membership of the USQRA to celebrate the 22nd Anniversary of the National Championship Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. Their previous success in organizing the National Tournament in the past has been acknowledged by the USQRA Executive Board, giving them the opportunity to host the tournament in Louisville for a total of 5 years.

The National Tournament has a two-tier competition format, with the top two first and second place finishers from each of the four sections of the United States competing in Division I, and the third and fourth place finishers competing in Division II. Teams from the Heartland Sectionals will enter ‘Sectional Competition’ in the nest week hoping to qualify to travel to Louisville in April 2009 to compete in the National Tournament.  Teams from around the United States who have been confirmed to play in the National Tournament at this time include:

Division I and Division II Teams (to date confirmed)
Denver Harlequins (Colorado)    San Antonio Ruff Ryders (Texas)
Shepherd Smash (Georgia)        Magee Eagles (Pennsylvania)    
Texas Stampede (Texas)          U of A Wildcats (Arizona)
Tampa Generals (Florida)          East Coast Cripplers (Virginia)
Portland Pounders (Oregon)      Sharp Edge (California)
Northridge Knights (California)   Arizona Outcasts (Arizona)

“We are again honored to host the National Championship Tournament for the fifth year,” said Jill Farmer, manager of Therapeutic Recreation at Frazier Rehab Institute. This is one more way that Frazier Rehab and the city of Louisville can demonstrate and promote independence, function and the benefits of physical fitness to individuals with disabilities.”

Quad Rugby, or Wheelchair Rugby, is a combined sport of wheelchair basketball and ice hockey, played with a regulation-sized volleyball.  Players must have a combination of upper and lower extremity impairment to be considered eligible to play.  Most of the players have sustained cervical-level spinal injuries and have some type of physical disability as a result.  Four players from each team are allowed on the court at a time.  The sport is played on a regulation-sized basketball court.

Sponsors confirmed at this time for the tournament include:  United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA), Frazier Rehab Institute, Jewish Hospital and St. Mary’s HealthCare, Louisville Metro Parks-Adapted Leisure Activities, Paralyzed Veteran’s of America, Louisville Metro Government, Kentucky Wheelchair Athletics Association, Louisville Water Company,  Transit Authority of River City, United Medical Providers, American Ramp, Coloplast, Eagle Sportchairs, ROHO, NuProdx, Astra Tech, Fusion, Paralyzed Veteran’s of America, Spinergy, Vesco Metal Craft and Melrose Sportchairs.  For more information on this event please contact Jill Farmer, Tournament Director at 502-582-7618 or jill.farmer@jhsmh.org.

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