Murderball, also known as wheelchair rugby, or quad rugby in the United States, has been around for over 30 years, but it has only been since the mid-2000s that the sport has gained a large degree of attention outside of the disabled community.  The 2005 documentary, “Murderball”, launched the sport, and many of its players, into the public eye, winning a slew of awards at various film festivals, and receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary.  Not for the faint of heart, wheelchair rugby is no-holds barred, full-contact sport that is as exciting to watch as its nickname implies.  With teams in 25 countries and a very active tournament schedule, wheelchair rugby has definitely come into its own.

A Brief History

The first wheelchair rugby games were played in Canada in the late 70s.  Developed by a group of wheelchair basketball players made up of Jerry Terwin, Duncan Campbell, Randy Dueck, Paul LeJeune and Chris Sargent, wheelchair rugby was designed to make quadriplegic athletes a more integral part of the game.  Wheelchair basketball did not allow athletes who had upper, as well as lower body disabilities to be fully involved.   Wheelchair rugby, which is played on a basketball court or other hard court service, does not require dribbling and allows for full-body contact, making it much more viable for quadriplegic players.  In order to qualify for participation in the sport, an extended physical assessment is required, and the physical ability of the potential player is given a ranking from .5 to 3.5, with 3.5 being given to those most physically able.  The sport attracts athletes who were born disabled, or became disabled through spinal cord injuries, amputations, or through cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders.  The point system allows for teams to be evenly matched when it comes to physical ability, so that it is truly skill at the game that determines the winner, as opposed to simple physical prowess. 

Who Plays

Players are also required to have regulation wheelchairs.  Wheelchair rugby chairs are outfitted with bumpers for striking, wings for deflection, and wheel guards so that spokes are not damaged during the game.  Temporary versions of these modifications are used in countries where the sport is still under development.  The ball used is usually a heavily inflated volleyball that can be thrown or bounced to another player.  Wheelchair rugby players will often strap themselves into their chairs for more stability as well.  The court is similar to a basketball court and utilizes a midline and goal areas, similar to a standard rugby or soccer field.  The first official championship was played in Canada in 1989, and a year later it was included in exhibition play at the World Wheelchair Games.  The International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation recognized it as an official sport three years later, and the International Wheelchair Rugby Foundation was subsequently formed to govern all games and tournaments.  1995 saw the first official World Champion in Nottwil, Switzerland.  The first demonstration games were played at the 1996 Summer Paralympics, and 2000 marked the first year that wheelchair rugby was a medal sport. 

Wheelchair Rugby Now

It was wheelchair rugby’s full inclusion in the 2000 Paralympic Games that sparked its meteoric rise in popular consciousness.  By the premiere of “Murderball” in 2005, wheelchair rugby had begun to attract a whole new audience and more and more players.  There are currently 44 teams registered with the US Quad Rugby Association, and new teams form each year.  There are multiple opportunities for national and international play.  On the national circuit, there are five to six tournaments each month in the United States alone.  International competitions happen in multiple cities each year, with the Zone Championships held on odd years, and the World Championships held on even years, except those that coincide with the Paralympic Games.  The United States has dominated international play for much of wheelchair rugby’s international circuit history, winning the 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, and 5^th World Championships, and Gold at the Paralympics in 1996, 2000, and 2008.  Mark Zupan, the captain of the United States quad rugby team, became a star after appearing in “Murderball”.  His subsequent appearances and interviews, combined with the US team winning a Bronze medal in 2004 and a Gold medal in 2008 has further boosted the sport’s profile.