Axe Maidens at Quad Rugby Summer Slam

If you have ever seen the movie Murderball you’ll understand and appreciate the sport of Quad Rugby but to see it in person in an experience. The Jacksonville Axe Maidens had the pleasure of meeting the Brooks Bandits team from the Brooks Rehabilitation Center a few weeks ago when they played against the Axemen (so far the Bandits remain the only team to defeat the Axemen this season) they were then invited to attend their Summer Slam. Cara shares her experience at the event…….

“There are many sports that can be played from a wheelchair, but is Rugby really one of them? You better believe it! I had the chance to participate in the Summer Slam Paraplegic Rugby tournament hosted by Brooks Medical Center on July 19, 2009 at the Jacksonville Ice & Sportsplex.

Cara is ready to go

When a couple of girls from our team went to the event to perform a dance for the participants, it really raised the energy in the room. They loved our performance, and we loved watching them play rugby. After playing for two 8 hour days the players started to get tired, and many of them left to catch flights back to their homes all over the country. After a few rounds the remaining players asked if there were any volunteers willing to participate in a game. Of course my fellow Axe Maiden Dee Dee and I were up for the challenge!

Dee Dee getting taped

We had to tape gloves to our hands, so they didn’t fall off and we did not tear them up when maneuvering the chairs. We were strapped in at the waist and feet. Dee Dee and I were put on the green team and had to hit each other head-on in the wheelchairs to get the feel of it before playing with the professionals. It was a lot like bumper cars. It was so much fun to have the players on the sidelines cheering us on for a change.

My personal experience was comical because I was running into people left, and right; finally got the ball, rolled my chair as fast as I could…. In the wrong direction! It was like a scene from a movie, everyone was telling me to turn around, and when I did, I passed it to Dee Dee who went in to score the green team our first points of the game!

It was so much fun playing with the quad rugby players. When sitting in the wheelchairs we were all on the same playing field. I am so inspired by what these amazing people can accomplish without the use of their limbs, something we probably take for granted everyday. It’s easy to take advantage and gripe and moan about having to get up to take the trash out, or walk up the stairs because the elevator is broken. The players in this sport did not let their limits stop them from what they love to do. I only aspire to be as brave and determined as the players in this sport.”

~Cara
2009 Jacksonville Axe Maiden

To view video of Cara & DeeDee playing Quad Rugby visit MySpace.com/JaxAxeMaidens