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President’s Message

The 2004-2005 season is already upon us and your USQRA board is working to provide you, the membership, with the latest information that has come from meetings and competition.

Let me begin by saying congratulations to TEAM USA.  In their recent campaign in Athens Greece at the 2004 Paralympics, TEAM USA came away with a Bronze medal. Finishing the competition with a 5 win 1 loss record, the US served their country well.  I know everyone on the team appreciated the support they got from the people back home. It was a great feeling to know you had people pulling for you back home.

With that said the next round of the HPTP (High Performance Training Program) is scheduled to make selections for Head Coach and Team Leader. The deadline for consideration is January 15, 2005. All applicants should submit their name and resumes to the USQRA.

The board has also been at work securing post-season hosts and bids.  We have SECURED/ACCEPTED bids for Philadelphia for sectionals and Louisville for Nationals.  We have verbal commitments for sectional host: Chicago, Phoenix, and Portland. A reminder to hosts that bids were due the last day of October. Any remaining teams in unsecured sections still have the opportunity to bid for your sections tournament.

There has been some great discussion recently on the decline of rugby in all aspects. With every great debate there are many opinions and usually more than one answer to the issue. That is where you the membership come in. This is YOUR association. If you want to see something done, removed implemented, discussed, or enforced get out there and do something. One person can do mighty things. It is so much easier to say “it doesn’t matter” or “no one will listen” than to MAKE IT MATTER or FIND SOMEONE TO LISTEN.  

In the coming weeks, committees will be forming in several areas of rugby. Most of these will be headed up by RAC’s who will chair meetings and serve as a conduit between the board and the membership. Many of you will be contacted to SERVE on these committees. Here is your chance to make a difference and be heard throughout the association.

Once again thanks for the opportunity to serve you, and see you on the sidelines.

In rugby,
James T. Gumbert

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Treasurer’s Update

Current Marketing/Promotional Activity 
Large corporations are moving more and more toward requiring grant proposals to be submitted for consideration for funds to be made to community and non-profit organizations. Quite a few will not even consider funding sports or sports organizations. However, there are still many that do not put restrictions on the charitable causes. Three companies are the first to be targeted. They are Federal Express, UPS and Pfizer. Ed Suhr, Jason Reiger and I are currently working together to write these grant proposals. 

All of last years sponsors have agreed to sponsor the USQRA once again this year. They are United Spinal Association, Spinergy, Eagle, Vesco, Sportaid, Wheelchair Getaways and Coloplast. We have also approached past sponsors of the USQRA to see if they would be interested in becoming sponsors once again. They are Hollister, Elan, Rusch and Classic Sports. Other new potential sponsors being targeted are Astratech, DS Medical, Uromed, A Med and Rochester. 

In addition, we are approaching ESPN, more specifically the X Games to see if they would be interested in allowing the USQRA to hold an exhibition at next year’s event to showcase “Murderball”. 

Financial Report
Everything is good regarding the finances of the league. There have been 30 teams to register this season. The money is used for numerous reasons including team insurance, post-season play, training clinics, player classification, fundraising expenses, website upkeep, etc. All of last year’s post-season expenses have been paid in full.

Good luck to all the teams this year,
John Ershek, Treasurer

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Commissioner’s Note

The season is off to a rousing start with tournaments already played in Chicago, St Louis, Michigan, Philadelphia, San Diego and San Antonio, Pittsburgh, Valdosta, and Pasadena.  Congratulations to the teams off to an early start and good luck to everybody in what looks to be another wide open season.  As a result of pooling the projected cost of nationwide in-season classification, four classification panels will have seen players by this time.

Teams are reminded of the following deadlines and requirements: December 15: any postseason roster changes must have been made; players must have played at least 2 games; teams must have informed the Commissioner if they intend to withdraw from postseason.

January 15, noon eastern time: Teams must notify the Commissioner of their intent to transfer to a different Region or Section.  A check for $50.00 must accompany the request.

Teams must host 4 games prior to postseason. Teams must forward score sheets to the Commissioner within 14 days of
hosting an official game. Teams must submit an article to www.quadrugby.com during the season. Players must play in an additional 2 games at another tournament prior to postseason.  As we come off one of the most competitive quad rugby seasons in memory. I wish everyone good luck and encourage you to work for the growth of our sport.

Tom Hamill, Commissioner

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Secretary’s Message 

With the 2004-2005 in full swing, the USQRA Board is committed to growing the sport of quad rugby while at the same time ensuring that the by-laws voted on by the membership are enforced.  Included in this newsletter are important topics regarding player transfers, rules clarification, fines from last season, HPTP selections, and current season teams.  Committees have been formed to improve the organization and enhance member involvement, communication is improving, and more improvements are forthcoming including more frequent newsletters.   Please help us improve communication by forwarding this newsletter to members of your organization.  Let’s all spread the word, get others involved, and make the USQRA a stronger organization.   

Charles Ray, Secretary

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