After all the positive attention that Murderball has received in the mainstream press, I was interested to see a review of the movie (Dealer/Provider October 2005 Murderball commentary, “Thrilling But Flawed,” by David T. Williams) written by a person with a disability who does not have a history in the sport of quad rugby. As commissioner of the United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA), I am particularly disturbed by Williams’ statement that “the USQRA...is doing little or nothing to help new teams get started.” For more than a decade, the USQRA has sponsored and run developmental clinics wherever there was interest. More recently, we have concentrated our clinic efforts into regional events designed to develop mid-level players, and have developed a mentor program to help new and struggling teams play the sport and run their teams.

This year we sent two teams of players with little or no international experience to the World Wheelchair Games, a result of which will be 16 players strength-ening their local teams with international experience. We revised our postseason structure several years ago to allow community-based teams to compete for a separate national championship, and this year we will experiment with a third division for developmental teams.

The suggestion that we direct too much time and money on the national team and not enough at the local level is just plain wrong. Five percent of the USQRA budget is dedicated to the national team to help team members raise funds for competition and training. This year more than 20% is dedicated to development.

It is true that our national team is well funded, but that is a result of being a Paralympic sport. If we disbanded the national team tomorrow, all that money would be transferred to some other Olympic sport like ballroom dancing and do nothing to help the hundreds of athletes who find a sport in quad rugby.

It is true that the USQRA is a small league. In the age of HIPAA and ever-shortening rehab stays, often finding players is a difficult issue compounded by managing the equipment, assistance, and attendant care issues associated with a contact sport played by quads. The USQRA is continuously faced with and addressing these issues. Aided by a Murderball bounce, it looks like we have more than 10 new teams forming and planning to join over the next 2 years.

For someone who saw Murderball three times, Mr Williams certainly muddled the story. Joe Soares, the villain, was hired to coach Team Canada after Canada fell to fifth in the world rankings in 2000. Soares was a disgruntled cut USA player, but at that time he had no international coaching experience.

In fact, he would not have qualified to coach Team USA at that time. Further, the two losses shown in the movie to Canada in the 2002 World Championships and 2004 Paralympics are the only losses that have ever cost the USA a major international championship.

Finally, to suggest Soares and Team USA captain Mark Zupan were ever best friends is laughable. They competed as members of arch rivals in club rugby and competed for the same spots on Team USA. The personalities of both are captured in the movie, and you have to believe Zupan when he says he just does not like Soares.

Murderball is much more than a sports movie, it is a life movie. It tantalizes with the game footage, but shows players in their behind-the-game lives. The 4 weeks Team USA spent sequestered in Birmingham prior to their Athens trip are chronicled, as are the adventures of flying 14 athletes and staff members in wheelchairs. Every player addresses the issues of driving, jobs, and girls. Every quad may not be an elite athlete, but they have to see some of themselves in Murderball.

As for a popular movie about “normal” people with disabilities, good luck. The USQRA worked closely with ThinkFilm in promoting Murderball, but it was ultimately a box office disappointment. ThinkFilm’s research showed that people were afraid they would be depressed by a movie about disabled athletes. Elite athletes playing quad rugby are the hook in Murderball, but strip away the sport and these guys do have normal lives. But strip away the sport and all you have left of the movie is ultimately—life. If you are a rehabilitation technology provider who is inspired by the sheer normality of a client’s life, buy the DVD and show it to people afraid of being depressed by Murderball. DP

Thomas J. Hamill is commissioner of the United States Quad Rugby Association and head coach of the Magee Eagles quad rugby team. He is also an attorney in New Jersey.