New York-based Quad Rugby Squad to Compete in DC Tourney
Jackson Heights, NY – The United Spinal Association Jets quad rugby team will travel to Washington, DC for the Saturday, October 27th and Sunday, October 28th First Annual Capitol Clash quad rugby tournament, to be held at the Hoop Magic Sports Academy in Chantilly, Virginia. The Capitol Clash competition is presented by the National Rehabilitation Hospital and BlazeSports of Washington, DC.
The United Spinal Association Jets quad rugby team is sponsored in part by the New York Jets National Football League franchise.
Local area quad rugby players include Damon Rozier from Brooklyn; Long Islanders Brian Amundsen from Mount Sinai, Jim Cabrera from Farmingdale, Joe Jeremias from West Hempstead, George Taborsky from Smithtown, and Joe Testaverde from Wantagh; New Jersey players include Keith Cavill from Wayne, Luis Pereira from Englewood Cliffs, and Darren Templeton from Kinnelon; and, Matt Castelluccio of Monroe, NY also plays on the Jets squad.
Quad rugby players are individuals who have a combination of upper and lower extremity impairment. The sport is contested in wheelchairs that are built for speed and maneuverability.
Each quad rugby team fields four (4) players, who are classified using a point system based on their functional level. The game is played on a standard basketball court, and a volleyball is used to score points when a player carries the ball over the back line of an eight meter wide goal.
While the offense is trying to advance the ball, the defense is trying to take it away. The player with the ball must pass or dribble it within 10 seconds, or a turnover is called and the ball is awarded to the opposing team. Basketball tactics such as “setting a pick” and hockey techniques like “checking” are employed to advance the ball up court, and to stop an opposing player’s progress.