Canadian-invented wheelchair rugby not for the faint of heart

Wheel –chair rugby, a combination of hockey, basketball and rugby, all in a wheel chair. This head bashing sport was made popular by the 2005 movie, monster ball and was invented by a Canadian 32 years ago in Winnipeg. “Murderball, a.k.a. wheelchair rugby, is part court smarts, part speed, where super-tough chairs are used like battering rams in a game that combines pieces of hockey, basketball and rugby. Every 10 seconds, the ball must be dribbled or bounced.” The sport is extremely contact as hitting is allowed at anytime however hitting from behind is illegal. In 2002 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships team Canada knocked off the mighty American team to capture gold, a feat they have not yet to match. However the team is gearing up for 2010 championships which will take place in British Columbia.

I believe that this amazing sport is a wonderful description on Canadian heritage and the advancements in disabilities. When they athletes roll onto the court they do not feel different, they do not feel they are being judged for their handicap. For the 60 minutes that they are on the court they battle their hardest and show they are not any different from you and I.

Can't Stop/Won't Stop which is a documentary on the Canadian wheel chair rugby team “ is scheduled to debut Monday in Ontario on OMNI.2 at 3:30 p.m. and repeats Wednesday at 10 a.m. The documentary, produced, directed and written by Joe Recupero, was funded through OMNI's Independent Producers Initiative. For more information, see OMNItv.ca. “ I strongly encourage everyone to check it out and support Canada in a different aspect that many of us have failed to encourage.