USQRANews Letter
MARCH 1, 1998 ISSUE NO. 9798.05 
 

This has been an exciting rugby season so far. Competition has been fun and fierce at all levels. I wish everyone good luck as they prepare for Sectionals and Nationals. I also hope everyone takes time to look over the proposed rule changes and bylaw changes that will be discussed at the AGM. It is important that we get feedback from the members of the USQRA. This is your organization and we want to know which direction you want the organization to go. It is also important that you take part in the voting process. Make sure your team has a representative at the AGM or votes by proxy. Either way, you need to have your voice heard.

If you feel you have time and energy to put towards the organization, submit your name for one of the positions up for election. There are also committee positions for people who feel that they can help the organization in other ways.

Once again, I wish everyone luck as they enter post season play. I hope to see many of you in Salt Lake City for an interesting and exciting National Tournament.

 

The site of the 1998 AGM will be Country Inn & Suites in Salt Lake City Utah, April 2 1998. Detailed information is included in the newsletter. Every team should try to send a representative to the AGM. A registration packet is in this newsletter. If a team representative is unable to attend, a proxy vote for is included.

AGM AGENDA

  1. Approve Minutes
  2. Roll Call
  3. President’s Report
  4. Commissioner’s Report
  5. Treasurer’s Report
  6. RAC Reports
    1. East
      1. Scott Davies Northeast
      2. Wendy Gumbert Southeast
    3. North Central
      1. Paul Levasseur
    5. South Central
      1. Alan Bailey
      2. Brad Mikkelsen (acting)
    7. West
      1. Chris Cook
      2. Dean Maccabe
  8. Committee Reports
    1. Officials - Darren Roberts
    2. Classification - Diane Bulger, Angie Seals
    3. Wheelchair Specification Committee - Dan McCauley
    4. Fundraising Committee - John Bishop
    5. Hall of Fame Committee - Allen Seals
  10. Constitution and Bylaws
  11. Rule Change
  12. Old Business
  13. New Business
    1. Athlete of the Year
    2. Spirit of Achievement
  15. Elections
    1. President
    2. 1st Vice President
    3. Secretary
  17. Regional Sectional and National Bids

 

  1. Discounted Airfares
  • Call Delta Airlines Group Desk at (800) 241-6760
    Booking Number # 112534A
  1. Hotels: -Ask for USQRA Nationals room rate
  • Sleep Inn (801) 975-1888
    3440 South Decker Lake Drive
    (non-accessible rooms have 28-30" wide bathroom doors)
    $56 per night (doubles and king available)
  • Country Inn & Suites (801) 908-0311
    3422 South Decker Lake Drive
    (non-accessible rooms have 34" wide bathroom doors)
    $72 per night (doubles)
  1. Playing Facilities:
  • Salt Lake Community College (Friday & Sunday)
    4600 South Redwood Road
  • Taylorsville High School (Saturday only)
    5225 South Redwood Road

 

  1. Adopt International Rules (ALL RULES)
    2.

  2. USQRA wheel chair rules put the US team at a disadvantage in international competition. Dimensional differences in chair design (Cow Catcher) put international teams at an advantage, as well as interpretation of scoring planes, etc. The US National teams would be better situated if a common set of rules is used for both National and International competition. This rule change would be easier for players, referees and officials due to adherence to one common set of rules. Competition parity on an international level is essential to the fairness of all competitors, referees and officials. USQRA should adapt to international rules - E. J. Dytko
  3. Adopt Article 13 in the International Rules exactly as stated.(ARTICLE 13 ONLY)

  4. This is a proposal to adopt the international interpretation of the wheelchair as stated in Article 13 of the International Rules. This would allow for wider bumpers that are currently prohibited by the USQRA’s 1 cm rule. The rule change would insure that the US is not at a competitive disadvantage in international competition. It would also allow low point players to be more effective. This rule would also require players to have full spoke guards which would make the game safer.
  5. Forty Five Second Rule
    This rule will be for all Regionals, Sectionals, and National Championships competition. As part of the bid process for these events, shot clocks will be secured in addition to the requirements already used for tournament bids. Other Invitational Tournaments can use a 45-second clock at the discretion of the tournament director, but will not be mandatory.

    The Technical Commissioner shall be the clock operator, and be paid $10.00 per game as the clock operator.
  1. The clock starts when team control is established. A team is considered to be in control when holding, dribbling, or passing a live ball. After gaining possession of a live ball, the team has 45 seconds to score
  2. Timing control will come from a separate timing device which will count down from 45 seconds to zero, whose horn has a distinct sound different from the game clock..
  3. If the game is resumed by a throw-in, the clock starts when the ball
  4. touches a player on the court. If there is no change of possession the clock will not reset.
  5. The starting and stopping of the "shot" clock shall be the same as the game clock.
  6. This clock shall be used the entire game including all overtime periods except when there are less than 45 seconds remaining in any period
  7. The referee shall have the authority to reset the clock to cover any unusual situations not specifically covered by the rule.

Situations to reset:

  1. Penalties and Technical Fouls.
  2. When opponent secures control.
  3. Held ball, when the defensive team has the Alternating possession arrow.
  4. After made goal.
  5. Beginning of each quarter

Situations not to reset:

  1. Defensive team touches the ball but does not gain control.
  2. Time out
  3. Injury or loss of contact lens
  4. Defensive team causes a held ball but does not have the alternating possession arrow.

Penalty: - loss of possession

4. Flagrant Foul Section I Art.78

Change penalty to read; One (1) minute penalty. This penalty must be served for a full minute, regardless of opponent scores or a penalty goal is awarded.

 

Article II ROSTERS

Existing

Section 2 Requirements of rostered players

  1. Players may be added or substituted to any teams roster by sending notice of the team's intention to do so to the Office of the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall send to all member teams notice of a team's intention of adding or substituting a player. If no objection is received within 14 days of the mailing of said intention, the added or substituted player may be considered a part of that team's roster at the end of a 30 day period. The added or substituted player must be deemed eligible prior to post season play-offs.

NEW

Section 2 Requirements of rostered players

  1. Players may be added or substituted to any teams roster by sending notice of the team's intention to do so to the Office of the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall send to all member teams notice of a team's intention of adding or substituting a player. If no objection is received within 14 days of the mailing of said intention, the added or substituted player may be considered a part of that team's roster at the end of a 30 day period. The added or substituted player must be deemed eligible prior to post season play-offs.

Existing

Section 3. Player Transfers

A player wishing to transfer his or her membership to another team in the USQRA shall do so with approval of the Commissioner and in accordance with the Bylaws.

  1. Same season - a player must have sufficient cause to transfer e.g. relocation of residence due to employment, education or training, hospitalization or family reasons and other matters beyond the player's control. A player may not be approved if he/she has changed residence expressly to gain membership on that team.

  2. Between season - a player may request a transfer to another team and approval will be given or denied by the Commissioner with regards to the best interests of USQRA.

NEW

Section 3. Player Transfers

A player wishing to transfer his or her membership to another team in the USQRA shall do so with approval of the Commissioner and in accordance with the Bylaws.

  1. Player roster committee – All decisions regarding player transfers will be made by the Commissioner. Disputed decisions can be appealed to a player roster committee. The player roster committee will be comprised of the eight assistant commissioners from each region, as well as the USQRA. Protests on decisions made by the player roster committee can be presented to the Executive committee. Decisions made by the executive committee are final and binding.
  2. USQRA notification of transfer - The USQRA Roster Committee must be notified in writing of a players intent to transfer prior to September 30.
  •  
    • Exceptions to the September 30 deadline – The only exceptions to this deadline will be made in the case where the player has sufficient cause to transfer e.g. permanent relocation of residence due to employment, education or training, hospitalization or family reasons and other matters beyond the player's control. A player may not be approved if he/she has changed residence expressly to gain membership on that team. All rules governing USQRA and current team notification of intent to transfer apply.
  1. Current team notification of transfer – The players original team must be notified in writing of the players intent to transfer prior to the September 30 deadline. Failure to do this may result in the transfer being denied.
  2. Protest – A team losing a player to transfer may protest to the USQRA and request a review of the transfer petition. The protest must be filed within 14 days of the filing of the player transfer petition. Protested transfers will be resolved by the USQRA roster committee within 14 days of the protest being filed.

Section 4. Player residence

Rosters shall not contain players whose residence and/or place of employment are more than 150 miles from the team's home city unless:

  1. The Commissioner grants an exception based on a request filed by the player and the team for which he wishes to play; or

  2. At the time the player began to play no member team existed less than 150 miles from the player's home city and/or place of employment. If a team is later formed nearer the player he/she has the option of rostering with either team.

NEW

Section 4. Player residence

Rosters shall not contain players whose residence and/or place of employment are more than 150 miles from the team's home city unless:

  1. The Commissioner grants an exception based on a request filed by the player and the team for which he wishes to play; or
  2. If at the time the player began to play no member team existed less than 150 miles from the player's home city and/or place of employment, the player must play for the closest team. Exceptions will be handled as a player transfer.
  3. A player may roster with a team out of the 150 mile radius by filing a petition to transfer according to Article III section 3 of the by laws. The player’s original team may protest a transfer according to Article III section 3. Petitions must be filed by the September 30 deadline with no exceptions other than the player’s original team folding and withdrawing membership for the USQRA.
  4. As defined in the Constitution, teams may roster two international players. However, these players must be rostered on the initial team roster October 31. International players must have played in two games with the team by January 15.
Scenario Proposed Rule Existing Rule
US Player wishes to transfer to a team within the 150-mile radius.
  • Existing rules PLUS…
  • Petition to transfer must be submitted to the USQRA and to the player’s original team by September 30. No exceptions other than cases of player relocation for reasons out of the players control.
  • Original team may file a protest with the USQRA within 14 days of the filing of the transfer petition.
  • To isolate the executive committee from a large volume of petition decisions, a player roster committee will be formed consisting of the commissioner and the 8 regional assistant commissioners.
 Governed by Article II and III of the bylaws.
US player wishes to transfer to a team out of the 150 mile radius Now allowed, but subject to the rules above, so a player whose team does not wish to protest can transfer by petitioning for transfer by September 30. This is not allowed under current rules.
US Player has no team within the 150 mile radius Must play for closest team. Any exceptions will be handled as player transfers. Governed by Article II and III of the bylaws
International player within 150 mile radius Existing rules Governed by Article II and III of the bylaws
International player moving to the states
  • Must play 2 games by Jan 15.
  • Must be filed by Sept 30
  

Art.VI Section 1

  1. Regionals will be held only if more than 8 teams compete in a section.
  2. Executive committee may transfer teams within a section.

Article VI Section. 2

CHANGE: less than 6 teams to 6 teams or less.

Article VI Section. 6

Options to transfer

  1. Any team may request an option to transfer to a different section. The team must submit a written request to the commissioner's office and a $50 nonrefundable fee by Jan.15th. Commissioner's office will notify requesting team of available options within 5 days. Teams must accept or withdraw transfer within 5 days.
  2. Sections available to receive direct transfers will be those with less than 8 teams .
  3. Team with highest national ranking will be given first option to transfer etc.
  4. Teams requesting to transfer to a section with more than 8 teams must qualify at one of that sections regional tournaments.

  5. Where as transfers are utilized to help advance the best teams to National championships. USQRA may grant a transfer team a by into sectionals. (as in case ; one region has 3 teams and the other has 6 teams or more.)

  6. A team may request a transfer to a different region in there section.

The same time line and fees apply.

  1. Section D Art.21 Duties of Head Officials

change paragraph 2 to read : He shall chair a committee of three officials, that will assign referees for each game.

 

Anyone who that would like to host a Clinic should contact Eddie Suhr for more information. Clinic formats can be geared towards beginner, intermediate or advanced players. The Northeast Region has requested a Clinic, anyone interested in attending should contact Eddie Suhr.

 

The positions of President, Vice President and Secretary are up for election at the AGM

Edward J. Suhr, Portland Quad Cannibals

I am 34 years old and live in Portland, Oregon. I graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1984. My degree from West Point is in Engineering. My minor while at the Academy was Economics.

I have been involved with Quad Rugby for the past nine years. In January of 1990, I helped found the EPVA Strykers and served as their first captain. In April 1991, I took over as coach of that team. I have coached the Strykers until April of 1997. I have also coached several all star teams on both the developmental and elite levels. In September 1992, I was appointed Regional Assistant Commissioner for the Northeast. I have also served on the Selection Committee for the last four National teams and have worked on the staff of the USQRA/PVA quad rugby clinics since their inception.

I was elected President of the USQRA at the 1994 AGM. During my involvement with quad rugby, the sport has grown and developed at an incredible pace. The future holds continued expansion and new challenges for everyone involved. We have already made the sport more accessible to new players and teams through the USQRA/PVA clinics and the publication of the coaches' manual but we must continue to share our knowledge and enthusiasm for the game in all ways possible.

As President of the USQRA, I would bring a love of the sport and an intense desire to help continue its growth. In addition to my experience in athletics, I have served on the board of directors for the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association from 1988 until 1997. I served as Treasurer for two of those years. I also serve on the board of directors of Wheelchair Sports, USA. These experiences, coupled with my educational background, give me a solid base to continue service in this office. I would be honored if you would give me the opportunity to serve our membership for two more years.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Wendy Gumbert, Atlanta Rolling Thunder

I graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a degree in Recreation Administration. I have been employed as the Wheelchair Sports Coordinator at Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio and as Promotion Fitness Center and Wheelchair Sports Team Coordinator at Shepherd in Atlanta. My work experience has always centered around the development and implementation of disabled sports. Presently, I am the Camp Director for Camp Dream, a disabled sports athletic and outdoor adventure camp in Warm Springs, Georgia.

I believe it is important to have executive board members who have been involved in the USQRA for a number of years and have gained an understanding of the organization’s strengths and weaknesses. I truly believe Quad Rugby is the most exciting wheelchair sport in the world. I want to assist in making our organization the best. I can bring new enthusiasm and ideas to an already knowledgeable board. My knowledge of disabled sports and quad rugby background would be a positive addition to the USQRA.

Kevin Orr, Lakeshore Demolition

I graduated from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. I have been employed by the Lakeshore Foundation since that time and have been the Director of Youth Services.

I have played and coached many Wheelchair Sports teams including International Experience. I have coached the Lakeshore Demolition Quad Rugby team since I founded it in 1996. My accomplishments include, Director of the 1996 National Junior Wheelchair Championships, Chairperson of the Dixie Wheelchair Athletic Association, 1995, Coordinator of Super Sports Saturday Program with expansion throughout Alabama and Tournament Director for many Quad Rugby Events.

I would like the opportunity to serve the USQRA as Secretary. I feel I have the communication skills and leadership qualities that will allow me to further the growth of our sport.

 

The Classification Board will be Diane Bulger, Valerie Eberley and Gretchen Hanser. In addition Angie Seals,Trisha Eichelberger, Katie Reich, Lauren Rosen, Denise Anderson and Tom Lieb will be attending.

Protest at Nationals, will be accepted through the first round of play ONLY. If possible please submit protest PRIOR to the National Tournament. Contact Diane Bulger her email address is DBTOTR@aol.com or mail her the form to: 1 Paint Rock Court ,Trophy Club, TX 76262.

To submit a protest, please complete the protest form (included in this newsletter) and attach a check for $50.00 paid to the order of the USQRA Classification Committee.

 

Bob Lopez will be the head referee for Nationals in 1998. The seven other referees that were selected are Tres Smith, Dennis Snook, Darren Roberts, Kelli Kaliszewski, Wayne Grapes, Tim Davis and Ric Costow.

 

June 20 - 28, 1998 - Toronto, Canada - 12 Country, 2 pool tournament
Tournament director: Pawel Zbieranowski   Phone: (905) 886-1252

 

  • SECRETARY’S NOTE

Thank you for making these past eight years of my life so much fun. I hate retiring, but I am not sad. I have had a wonderful time, terrific competitions, great friends, lots of travel and, most importantly, the opportunity to work with so many excellent athletes and coaches.

The dedication of all of the members of the Executive Board both past and present is what has kept this organization strong. The organization is very lucky to have Brad Mikkelsen and Eddie Suhr offering their leadership.

I hope that all of you will become more involved with the running of your organization.

Quad Rugby is the BEST!!!

Judy

 

How to Contact us | Quad Rugby Central Index

Home Page | Rugby Calendar | Sports Page | Score Board | USQRA Zone | Files