Jason Regier named Danish wheelchair rugby coach

The three-time Paralympic medallist will look to guide Denmark to a medal at the 2017 European Championships. 31 Jan 2017
Imagen
Wheelchair Rugby Denmark

Danish wheelchair rugby team

ⒸWheelchair Rugby Denmark
By NPC Denmark and Beau Greenway

"I have followed the Danish team for many years and have had the opportunity to play with and against many of the Danes."

The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Denmark has named three-time US Paralympic medallist Jason Regier as its new wheelchair rugby national coach.

The US veteran will aim to guide the Danish national team toward their third consecutive medal at the European Championships this summer.

Regier comes with 12 years of national team experience from the USA, where he most recently played as vice-captain and helped his side to Paralympic silver at Rio 2016.

He takes over coaching responsibilities from experienced Danish duo Thor Johansson and Torben Nygaard.

"It is a great opportunity for me. I have followed the Danish team for many years and have had the opportunity to play with and against many of the Danes," Regier said.

"There are strong veterans, experienced players and great talent in the squad, so I'm thrilled to be a part of Danish wheelchair rugby."

Para Sport Denmark identified the 41-year-old after a thorough process, which saw him stand out from a strong field of candidates for the coaching job.

"The choice of Jason is mainly due to his vast experience in international wheelchair rugby, but also his burning desire to make a difference for the Danish national team, as he already has a thorough knowledge," Para Sport Denmark’s Michael Mollgaard Nielsen said.

"He has come in with a great vision and exciting new ideas that we think can lift the team."

The new coach meets his players for the first time in his new role at the Danish national championship, which runs from 17-19 February.

His first task will be the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) European Championships finals in Koblenz, Germany, in June, when Denmark hopes to finish in the top three. Regier's long term aim is to take the Danish national wheelchair rugby team to the Paralympic Games for the first time in its history at Tokyo 2020.

Regier was involved in a car accident in 1996 that left him paralysed from the chest down. He played wheelchair rugby for more than 19 years and has been part of the US national team since 2005, being part of the team that won gold in Beijing 2008, followed by bronze and silver at London 2012 and Rio 2016, respectively.

More information can be found on the Danish national wheelchair rugby team’s Facebook page.