U.S. Wheelchair Rugby National Championship coming to Lakeshore Foundation

The World Games? Check. World Police and Fire Games? Check. Dodgeball World Cup? Check. Extreme sports world series? Check.

Now, the Birmingham area is preparing to host yet another unique athletic competition Thursday-Sunday, April 9-12.

The Lakeshore Foundation is hosting the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Association (USWRA) National Championship tournament at its campus in Homewood. Featuring 18 of the top teams from around the U.S., competitors will participate within three divisions for national titles.

The competing teams are:

• Division I
  • WWAR Generals — Tampa, Florida
  • TIRR Texans — Houston, Texas
  • Texas Stampede — Arlington, Texas
  • Boise Bombers — Boise, Idaho
  • Las Vegas High Rollers — Las Vegas, Nevada
  • WWAR Warriors — Tampa, Florida
• Division II
  • Lakeshore Demolition — Birmingham
  • Ability360 Heat — Phoenix, Arizona
  • Portland Pounders — Portland, Oregon
  • WASA/CKRI Lightning — Wisconsin/Minnesota
  • Seattle Slam — Seattle, Washington
  • University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Division III
  • Shepherd Smash — Atlanta, Georgia
  • Denver Barbarians — Denver, Colorado
  • Magee Eagles — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Oscar Mike Militia — Poplar Grove, Illinois
  • Gaylord Warriors — Wallingford, Connecticut
  • Carolina Crash — Charlotte, North Carolina

Lakeshore works to help individuals with disabilities to live healthy lifestyles through physical activity, research, advocacy and health promotion. It serves more than 4,000 people through physical activity, sports, recreation, advocacy, policy and research.

“Lakeshore Foundation has a long-standing commitment to adapted sports and empowering individuals of all abilities, and we are thrilled to provide a world-class venue for this exciting national championship.”

Lakeshore President and CEO John D. Kemp

Like most adaptive sports, wheelchair rugby began when athletes with disabilities started looking for alternatives to their favorite sports. It was created in Canada in 1977 and originally referred to as “Murderball,” but the sport eventually transitioned to a less intimidating name.

The sport was featured in an award-winning documentary, “Murderball,” which was filmed at Lakeshore. Wheelchair rugby gained official Paralympic recognition in 1994 and is played in many countries around the world.

Ready to learn more about the world of wheelchair rugby? Admission and parking are free each day, and concessions benefit Lakeshore’s Ability Fund.

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