February 8, 2012
Jackson Jags quad rugby team to clash with three able-bodied teams Feb. 11
Methodist Rehabilitation Center’s Jackson Jags quad rugby team will host a game competition at the Mississippi Basketball and Athletics Gym in Jackson from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11.
Quad rugby, also known as "murderball," is a full-contact sport played in wheelchairs by quadriplegics (or other disabled persons with loss of function in at least three limbs), and is a Paralympic sport.
“Saturday’s exhibition is to raise awareness,” said Ginny Boydston, director of the therapeutic recreation program at Methodist Rehab and coach of the Jags. “And hopefully to recruit some new players."
Currently the Jags have four players on their active roster—John Adam Long of Louisville, Will Lamkin of Madison, Jim Chaney of Vicksburg and DeJuan Surrell of Jackson. While quad rugby is played by two teams of four, Boydston says not having players on the bench makes it tough to compete.
For the exhibition, the Jags will face off against three teams of able-bodied players—Mississippi Tobacco Free, the MSBL Baseball Team and Hinds Physical Therapy Association students.
The able-bodied players will play in quad rugby chairs, giving them an idea of the athletic intensity required to be competitive in the sport.
“Rugby is pretty intense,” Boydston said. “All you have to do is look at the chairs we play in—the chair takes the brunt of all of the roughness.”
Admission to the competition is $3 and concessions will be available. This event is sponsored by Methodist Rehabilitation Center and LIFE of Mississippi. |
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Members of Methodist Rehabilitation Center's Jackson Jags quad rugby team include, from left, Jim Chaney of Vicksburg, John Adam Long of Louisville, coach Ginny Boydston of Jackson, DeJuan Surrell of Jackson and Will Lamkin of Madison.
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