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Mexico Rugby

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July 21, 2009 — 5:14am [2 years 28 weeks ago ]

 

During the weekend of July 9-12, a group of United States quad rugby representatives headed to Mexico City to put on a rugby training camp. The group included players Sam Gloor from San Diego, CA, Seth McBride from Portland, OR and Jeff Odom from Tucson, AZ, referee Andy Miller from Chandler, AZ, classifier Katie Milner from Phoenix, AZ, PT student Jayece Olson from Flagstaff, AZ, and led by player Gabe Nyrkkanen from Tucson, AZ, and IWRF America Zonal President Dan McCauley from San Diego, CA.
 

This group was invited to Mexico City to provide instruction for Mexico's national wheelchair rugby program. Santiago Duarte, quad rugby player and president of Vida Independiente, organized the event in Mexico City. The camp was hosted at the Paralympic Training Center and was conducted over four days beginning on July 9, 2009. The goal of the camp was to both continue developing the sport of quad rugby in Mexico as well as to prepare a group of potential national wheelchair rugby athletes to compete in Zonal Championships in Argentina in October 2009.
 
The camp included a referee’s clinic led by Andy Miller and a classifier's clinic led by Katie Milner and Jayece Olson. The group that participated in the referee’s and classifier's clinics included approximately 20 local individuals who were physical therapy/occupational therapy students, professionals and volunteers. The camp also hosted approximately 25 quads from Mexico City and surrounding areas with varying levels of wheelchair rugby experience from beginner to novice.
 
 
After the first day of training, the group was divided into separate training sessions which included a basic skills course for recreational level players and an advanced course for players with potential to compete on the national team. The camp concluded on Sunday with the entire group splitting in two teams for a full on competition.
 
Special thanks goes out to Santiago Duarte for hosting the National Wheelchair Rugby Camp in Mexico City. To the Mexican Paralympic Federation and Paralympic Training Center for providing the facilities. To all of the representatives from the United States for providing instruction. To all the volunteers in Mexico City that provided transportation and assistance. And to all the participants who received instruction during the training camp.

 
Additional thanks go out to individuals who donated rugby chairs to the Mexico rugby program: Dan McCauley, Mark Hansen, Sean Brady, Brad Smith and Travis Murao. Also, thank you Tom Vesco and all the staff at Vesco Metal Craft who donated their time and efforts for this event.
 
¡Mu chas Gracias a Todos!

July 21, 2009 — 5:14am