Sports Chairperson Profile:
Pawel Zbieranowski

The Paralympian: Wheelchair rugby is one of the Paralympic sports that does not have an Olympic equivalent and is therefore considered unique to the Paralympic Games. What is the history behind the sport and what makes it so popular?

Pawel Zbieranowski: Wheelchair rugby originated in Canada in 1977. A group of quadriplegic athletes in Winnipeg, Manitoba, who were not able to play wheelchair basketball because of the severity of their disability, developed a game for themselves. They borrowed rules from rugby, volleyball, basketball and hockey, and created this team sport which was first called "murderball". The first national championships were held in Canada in 1979. In the early 1980s, wheelchair rugby was introduced to the USA to get them involved. With the sport progressing, we came across a situation where companies (potential sponsors) did not want to be associated with a sport bearing such an unusual and violent name. So in 1982 the name became "wheelchair rugby". Here, I would like to clarify that the term "quad rugby", as the sport is sometimes called, is inappropriate. Because wheelchair rugby is played not only by quadriplegics with spinal cord injuries, but also by those with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, polio, amputations and other disabilities which are classifiable in the quadriplegia system.

In the late 80's, wheelchair rugby was introduced to Great Britain. The first international tournament was held in 1989 in Toronto, with club teams from Canada, the USA and Great Britain. This was a breakthrough with regards to setting the international competition and cooperation. As a follow-up the International Wheelchair Rugby Organizing Committee was set up in January 1990. After this, wheelchair rugby entered the Stoke Mandeville World Wheelchair Games (1990) in the form of an exhibition tournament, where it was gradually introduced to other countries. By 1993, 15 countries were actively participating. Wheelchair rugby was recognized as an international sport and joined the International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair Sports Federation (ISMWSF). The next step was to apply for Paralympic status, which we obtained in 1995. Wheelchair rugby was accepted as a demonstration sport at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games. Sydney 2000 was its first-time appearance as a medal sport. Right now, 22 countries are officially participating, and we are in contact with 14-15 countries, where the sport is just about to develop.

Wheelchair rugby is a very competitive and exciting sport, yet it is a simple sport from an equipment point of view. For the countries new to the game, no special equipment is needed-just a flat surface in a small gym or an outdoor area which can be utilized as a playing court. Players can use any kind of wheelchair in the beginning stages. Wheelchair rugby is played with a volleyball, which is light, so the game can be slow- or fast-paced according to the abilities of the players, and this makes the sport attractive to the rehabilitation centers. This approach was used in Holland, where the sport was introduced as a recreational activity, which led to the establishment of 11 teams in this small country. Wheelchair rugby as a team sport provides those new to a disability with a social aspect, which makes it easier to break in, to be part of a larger group. Spectators find the sport easy to follow and develop an understanding of the game after a few minutes of watching.

TP: What are some of the new developments in wheelchair rugby? In which areas could it be further developed?

PZ: The dominating aspect has been the development of equipment, especially in the past 6 to 7 years. We started modifying wheelchairs to make them specific for more offensive playmakers as well as for more defensive blockers. The bumpers on the wheelchairs are varied to reflect players' ability. We are also developing 3.5-point wheelchair rugby, a new discipline or event for low-pointers, i.e. players with more severe disabilities who are classified from 0.5 to 1.5 points. This is designed to improve overall competition for athletes who might otherwise be fulfilling assisting roles on the playing court. A spin-off from this development is that these athletes with lower points can improve their strength and condition and make a difference on a winning team. The USA, Australia and New Zealand have been successful with low-point athletes and become stronger as a result.

Another area of our further development includes adjusting of the classification system to make it a more functional one. Our classification system is still quite medical-based and not fully functional-this is something we are working on to improve in the near future. We would like to encourage more female athletes to participate. The sport is co-ed, although female athletes are far fewer. This is due to the fact that there are more quadriplegic males than females, as a result of the nature of accidents and the acquired disabilities. The sport may be a bit intimidating for female athletes, with its rough-and-tumble character, but we have several outstanding female players.

TP: Which are the leading nations in the sport?
Are there a few outstanding players in the matches?

PZ: The USA has won the World Championships twice and
is the reigning Paralympic champion. Canada has lost some ground to Australia and New Zealand, who have surged to the top and improved tremendously over the last few years. Among the European countries, Sweden is strong, with many countries following closely, and Germany, with more than 30 teams, is very active in developing the sport within the country. In Asia, Japan is an emerging power and is making big strides.

Each country has its own leader: Garett Hickling from Canada, Brad Dubberley from Australia, Ulf Josefsson from Sweden and Cliff Chunn from the USA, a 2-point player who is versatile in both offensive and defensive play. Among the low-point players, Grant Sharman and Bill Oughton from New Zealand are outstanding. These are just a few names from a very long list of outstanding athletes. At the present time there are close to 1,600 wheelchair rugby players around the world.

TP: What are your tasks and goals in the preparations for Athens 2004?
What about events such as the World and Regional Championships?

PZ: It is an uphill struggle, because wheelchair rugby is new in Greece. This means that we have to establish and develop the sport, not just with the Organizing Committee, but also in terms of establishing a forum prior to the Games. People have limited information about wheelchair rugby, as compared with say, in Atlanta or Sydney. This will likely be a wheelchair rugby tournament without the participation of the host country. We will have to find and train local technical staff, officials and classifiers who will be assisting in the running of the Paralympic Tournament. We are establishing the sports structure to be transplanted to Greece. A tournament comes with certain requirements for venues and transportation. These organizational items need to be discussed and implemented.

The first World Championships were held in 1995 in Switzerland We follow the quadrennial model, with the previous World Championships being held in 1998 in Toronto. The next will be held in 2002, from 28 May to 3 June in Göteborg, Sweden. For the Regional Championships-the European Championships are
held every two years, the next being scheduled in Great Britain from 13 to 17 November 2001. The Oceania Championships will take place in New Zealand from 1 to 3 December 2001.

TP:What have been the main achievements of the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) in recent years? In which direction do you see it headed?

PZ: Our main achievement has been the overall development of the sport in a short time, from a few countries in the early 1980s to more than 20 at the present time. We are focusing attention on becoming an independent sport in 2002. Another significant achievement was the obtaining of a major sponsor, the Molten Corporation, and that gives us some financial base to operate on. We are reaching out to Asia, South America and eventually Africa for development. We aim to markedly improve our numbers and establish a structure for independence.

TP: How did you get involved in this sport?
What are some challenges of the position as Sports Chairperson?

PZ: My background is in physiotherapy and physical education, which I studied in Poland. I arrived in Canada in 1979 and came across a rehabilitation center in Toronto, where I applied for a job. They were looking for volunteers for "murderball", so I thought I would try to get involved in that and see where that would take me. I became an assistant coach to the Toronto Bulldogs in 1980 and that has led to my involvement of more than 20 years, during which I coached club and Ontario Provincial teams as well as the Canadian national team, served as an administrator, and became IWRF President in 1993. The little volunteer work that began in 1980 continues till now. I have, in a way, climbed the development stages of wheelchair rugby, together with the sport, and it gives me great pleasure and honor to be part of it and to be able to contribute to its development.

Challenges? In sport for athletes with disabilities overall, it is challenging while dealing with the many levels and kinds of administration, e.g. "IPC", "Paralympic", "IOSD", "independent", etc. There are many models, and when someone new comes along, you need to clarify, describe and explain how they all work and relate to each other. I think it would be easier for all if we had a situation of independent sports-going to the Paralympic Games and running their own World Championships-similar to the pattern of the able-bodied federations. Another problem is getting enough publicity. It is difficult to function and be part of the big sports world with little focus and attention on disability sport. Sydney 2000 was a great boost, but at the other competitions, you often see empty seats and very limited attention given by the media.

One of the biggest challenges is the lack of time. I am a full-time teacher and chairing a sport at that level becomes a second job. I heavily rely on the support, understanding, and sometimes forgiveness of my family, employer and colleagues, who have to cover for me when I am away attending competitions and meetings. We have to remember that our involvement depends on the support of so many other people, and that is challenging and difficult. You put in late night hours when you are so involved in it, and it becomes like an addiction. Wheelchair rugby is a great sport which provides our athletes and staff with great opportunities. Its definition is quite simple: Wicked crashes by quads who Grind and Bang for victory.