History
Roots: Ice hockey and wheelchair basketball.
Duncan Campbell (right)
Developed by three Canadians from Winnipeg, Manitoba: Ben Harnish, a professor of Architecture at Manitoba University and two wheelchair athletes, Duncan Campbell and Gerry Terwin.
1979 First exhibition game in US - Murderball team from Winnipeg organized an exhibition game at a regional track and field meet at Southwest State University in Marshall, MN.
Canada held their first National Championship.
Brad Mikkelsen (left) talking with Curt Chapman, observed by Jeremy Hannaford at the 2006 Seattle Slam clinic 1981 North Dakota Wallbangers , first US Quad Rugby team, formed by Brad Mikkelsen with the aid of the University of North Dakota's Disabled Student Services.
Originally called Murderball because of the aggressive nature of the game. Name was changed to Quad Rugby in the US. Known internationally as Wheelchair Rugby.
1982 First Quad Rugby match in the US, North Dakota Wallbangers v. Minnesota Rolling Gophers at the 1982 National Wheelchair Games, held in Marshall, ND.
Later in 1982 the University of North Dakota hosted the first International Quad Rugby Tournament with teams from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, North Dakota, and Minnesota competing.
1988 First US National Championship tournament with six teams (Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Los Angeles and North Dakota) competing at the University of North Dakota.
At this tournament, the United States Quad Rugby Association was formed to promote and regulate the sport in the USA.
1993 Seven countries met at Stoke-Mandeville, England for the World Wheelchair Games and formed the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF).
IWRF Goals: to establish an international infrastructure for the sport, provide championship competition and to seek recognition from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
Mike Wagner inbounding the ball1994 The Seattle Slam, originally called Washington Warriors, then Team All Night (after the All Night chair manufacturer,) was formed around 1992. It transformed into Team Seattle and was renamed Seattle Slam in 2006. 
Bruce GuertinTwo players from the original Team All Night still play with the Seattle Slam, Mike Wagner and Bruce Guertin.
1996 After lengthy negotiations, Wheelchair Rugby was added as an exhibition sport in the 1996 Summer Paralympic Games. The United States captured the gold medal over Canada, and New Zealand won the bronze.
Following the 1996 Paralympic Games' success, Wheelchair Rugby was officially added to the Paralympic Program as a full medal event.
2000 Quad Rugby took Sydney by storm. It was one of the most watched and exciting competitions of the 2000 Summer Paralympic Games. More than 10,000 fans watching the Gold Medal game between USA and Australia were treated to one of the closest international finishes to date with the USA defeating Australia by just a point. New Zealand again received the Bronze medal, this time over Canada.
2002 Team Canada beat the USA to win the World Championships in Sweden.
2004 Paralympic Games in Athens saw New Zealand take the gold, Canada the silver and USA the bronze.
2006 The United States of America proved again to be the best in the world. They were undefeated in all three international tournaments in 2006, including the World Championships in New Zealand, where they defeated New Zealand to take home the gold.
Today Played in over 25 countries. Considered the fastest growing wheelchair team sport in the world.
Release of the movie "Murderball" in 2005 greatly increased sports' recognition and popularity, and assisted in the recruitment of athletes.
NBC's critically acclaimed dramatic series, "Friday Night Lights," has also popularized the sport.
Over 45 organized teams and 550 players in the USA.
2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China - the next chapter. Stay tuned!
Adapted from the 2007 USQRA Coaches Manual, © 2004 by the US Disabled Athletes Fund, Inc. Order the manual here.