The sixth annual Wheelchair Rugby will return to Athens this Saturday, giving students an opportunity to take down the defending champions.
Quad Rugby was created in collaboration with Ohio Buckeye Blitz, a Columbus-based Quad Rugby team. Fourplay, an Ohio University physical therapy and health organization, will host the event,
Originated in 2008 by Fourplay after members of the organization worked with a member of the Blitz, realize the uniqueness of the sport, said organization advisor Brooke Vaughan.
“We wanted to have something similar at OU,” Vaughan said. “It’s really grown (and) exceeded what the expectations were.”
The tournament previously took place in Grover Center before moving to Ping Center in 2011 to accommodate the increasing turnout.
“With Ping, we got more people. I think the first couple years of the event, Ping was very reluctant to give us that space (because of possible damage to floors),” said Senior Jodi Krause, Fourplay’s advertising and marketing manager. “We hope to keep it at Ping, which means we have to do everything by the book to make sure everything goes well.”
Aside from obtaining Ping, the organization has been facing many obstacles in preparation for Saturday’s tournament, such as raising money for the team.
The event, typically held in March, was moved to September to accommodate the switch to semesters, said Derek Steele, a graduate student and Fourplay’s president.
“A lot of where the money comes from is donations,” he said. “If (someone) donated in March, (they may not be) able to donate again.”
Though the organization raised about $9,000 at the event last year, this year’s goal is $6,000, Steele said.
The organization accepts 28 teams for the tournament. To register a team, four to six students get together and pay the $100 team fee, with Fourplay providing wheelchairs.
There is no cost to attend the event, but Fourplay is currently accepting volunteers to help before, during and after the event, Vaughan said,
“The Buckeye Blitz are undefeated at our Quad Rugby tournament, and they’re playing against all of us able-bodied people,” Krause said. “People need to come and check this out..”
Fourplay will take place on Sept. 15, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Ping Recreation Center.
kf398711@ohiou.edu
