Compiled by Tom Scott
Local Wheelchair Quad Rugby Team Sweeps to D.C. Area Tournament Title
The United Spinal Association New York Jets quad rugby team won five straight matches over two days to win the First Annual Capitol Clash wheelchair quad rugby tournament held at the Hoop Magic Sports Academy in Chantilly, Virginia, at the end of October.
On Saturday, October 27th, the Jets “ruggers” eked out a victory over the Carolina Crash team by a score of 37 to 28. Their second rugby match of the day was not as difficult as the Jets flew past the Connecticut Jammers by a 14 goal margin. On Saturday evening in a “precursor of the future” battle, the Jets grounded the Pittsburgh Steelers rugby team by a 41 to 30 score.
On the following “championship” Sunday, the Jets opened up against their perennial rival, the Magee (Philadelphia) Rebels, but this time around they coasted to a 41 to 24 triumph. The past became the future in the tournament championship game as the Jets squared off once more against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The result was even more convincing as the Jets glided to a 13 point victory, and the tournament’s first place trophy.
Jets “rugger” George Taborsky of Smithtown, NY, was named to the All Tournament Team as the “Best Low Point” player.
In addition to Taborsky, local Jets quad rugby players include Long Islanders Brian Amundsen from Mount Sinai, Jim Cabrera from Farmingdale, Joe Jeremias from West Hempstead, and Joe Testaverde from Wantagh; New Jersey players include Keith Cavill from Wayne and Luis Pereira from Englewood Cliffs; and, Matt Castelluccio of Monroe, NY also plays on the Jets squad.
Cedar Knolls Power Wheelchair Soccer Clinic
On Saturday, November 10th, a power wheelchair soccer demonstration and clinic was held at the Morris Center YMCA, 79 Horsehill Road in Cedar Knolls. Individuals five (5) years of age and older who use power- operated wheelchairs were invited to participate.
The main sponsor of this clinic is the United States Power Soccer Association, which is the official governing body of more than 40 teams who engage in regional, national, and international power soccer competition. United Spinal Association contributed funding for the November 10th event, and helped to arrange sponsorship of the New Jersey-based Red Bull Junior Power Wheelchair Soccer Team by the Major League Soccer (MLS) Red Bull franchise. wheelchair Power wheelchair soccer is played by two teams of differently-abled athletes using special footguards attached to powered wheelchairs as “feet” to kick a large 13 inch diameter ball. Players must use lap seatbelts and may use other assistive or protective technology that is normally needed by the individual. A power wheelchair soccer match is contested between two teams of four (4) players each, one of whom must be the goalkeeper.
Power soccer is played on a standard indoor basketball court. The goal area is at the center of each end of the court-26 feet wide and 16.5 feet deep-and goal posts are placed 19 feet, eight inches apart within their life the goal area. The object of the game is to maneuver the ball through the opponent’s goal posts. Penalty kicks are awarded for rule infractions and to determine the winner of a match ending in a tie score.
Persons interested in learning the coaching skills of this dynamic new sport or for further information, contact Jeanmarie and Ken Falco at 973-492-5857, or at njpowersoccer@optonline.net.
Tom Scott is staff editor.
