USA Rugby announces Paralympic partnership

“With this partnership, I feel that USA wheelchair rugby can reach new heights on the road to Rio never before imagined.”

USA Rugby annouced a monumental partnership with Paralympic counterpart USA Wheelchair Rugby last Thursday (14 November).

“We have discussed the possibility of working together for years and to see it come true is a big step for us,” USA wheelchair rugby head coach James Gumbert said. “A partnership with USA Rugby will certainly have an immediate impact on the sport.”

To date, the USA wheelchair rugby team is the most successful team in international competition, most recently winning the gold medal at the 2013 Americas Championship. The team won bronze at London 2012 but is now ranked No. 1 in the world again.

With similar goals, USA Wheelchair Rugby seeks to establish a standard of excellence and continue a tradition of success by developing athletes, staff and teams through education and training.

USA Rugby will help to raise awareness for the sport of wheelchair rugby through the development of a new website and the support of various digital platforms. These initiatives will help to fuel sponsorship, fundraising and overall investment in the sport.

“I can confidently speak for the whole team in saying that we are excited to become partners with USA Rugby and all that they stand for,” said USA wheelchair rugby captain Joe Delagrave said.

“With this partnership, I feel that USA wheelchair rugby can reach new heights on the road to Rio never before imagined.”