U.S. Wheelchair Rugby National Team to Train at UH Facility

Fourteen members of the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby National Team will travel to the University of Houston for training camps in preparation for the upcoming 2014 Wheelchair Rugby World Championship in Odense, Denmark.  The team will be on campus from June 4 – 8 training in the UH Campus Recreation and Wellness Center.  They’ll also stay on campus at the UH Cougar Village.

 “The University offered a unique blend of facilities, housing and ease of access as a gateway destination,” said Coach James Gumbert. “A big factor was having the logistical support to make everything run smoothly.”

The team, selected in December, features 10 athletes who won gold medals in international championship tournaments in 2013.

“We are very honored and excited to have these great athletes train in our facilities,“ said Serjio Brereda, founder of Adaptive Athletics @ UH. “Some of them have been to UH before to participate in tournaments. They were impressed with our campus and facilities.”

Founded in 2013, Adaptive Athletics @ UH is a student organization housed in the Department of Health and Human Performance. Its goal is to create a UH athletics program for students with disabilities. The group has hosted wheelchair rugby tournaments and held summer camps for those who want to learn more about the sport.

The team will be on hand at BBVA Compass Stadium for a rugby match that between team USA and Scotland. As a part of the weekend festivities and in an effort to increase awareness of the sport, the team will split into two groups and compete in a demonstration match.  The game, free and open to the public, will be played at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

“Going on the road always presents benefits and adversity,” Gumbert said. “Both tend to pull the team together, and showcasing the sport to a new audience is always exciting.”

The tentative training schedule is:

June 5— 9 a.m. – noon /3 – 6 p.m. at UH

June 6—9 a.m. – noon at UH/demonstration game from 4—6 p.m. at The George R. Brown Convention Center

June 7 –- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at UH

June 8— 8:30—10:30 a.m. at UH

All training sessions are open to the public. 

For more information call Adaptive Athletics, 713-743-9840.

WHAT: U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Team Training at UH          

WHEN:  June 4 – 8

WHERE: University of Houston Campus Recreation and Wellness Center

For directions and parking information, visit http://www.uh.edu/wtsc_apps/uh_maps/buildings/?short_name=CRWC