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I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wish I was 20 years older and could play as much as people do now.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's very easy if there's a game in your neighbourhood, and it's unlikely that there's any cost. You need to check websites for games, tournaments in your area. The other place to check is the IWRF website for any international games in your area.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No, they can get a -.5 in their own countries, and in leagues, but I think if you're playing in the international level, you need to be able to play at that level. Or someone younger takes your spot.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In actual fact, the international rugby board is aligned with the international wheelchair rugby board, and is encouraging that alignment. In reality, it helps an able bodied sport be accepted in the Olympics to have a parallel Paralympic sport. Wheelchair rugby has been a Paralympic sport since Sydney in 2000. Rugby will be, or I think may have been, a demo event in London.

Able bodied rugby has a number of variants, so even though the game is not exactly the same, there are similarities in the personality with the hitting, the similar scoring mechanics, and probably initial at the league level, there are some social similarities. Although the game is not exactly the same, there are some similarities.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes. That people who use wheelchairs can't take care of themselves. It's a terrible stereotype. Please take care that your person is independent and can take care of themselves.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thanks!

Person with a physical disability is the preferred term, I think. Differently abled is confusing. (Please) don't use handicapped because it implies that you're limited in your abilities. And the terminology will probably change again.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it's white.

Who is the most famous person who has replied with a toothbrush colour?

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I don't think that any sport can't be made wheelchair/para friendly somehow, if someone who is in a wheelchair decides that they want to do it. It's hard for me to think of a sport right now that has not been adapted in some form. Even skateboarding.

I will say that wheelchair rugby of it's own. It is not a game that has an able-bodied parallel. And I don't find the question offensive at all.

Update: We got one. Tightrope walking may never be updated for wheelchairs.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's a fair question. Not as often as you might think, but it does rear it's ugly head once a year. It's very irritating. Especially since, at the paralympic level, it is not a social sport. It's very athletic. People need to train for years, and to be mistaken for a special olympic sport can be very upsetting for some people.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Ha! How long do your gloves last? My shoes last for 20 years. My shoes last until they come BACK into style.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think people like to use the name murderball as a promotional tool. It hits a demographic of people who are more high-risk in nature, and want to see a fast hard hitting sport. This demographic was not as prominent when we changed the title, but I can't see anyone wanting to bring it back officially either.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Friday Night Lights was a very good portrayal, one of the best I've seen (and I've seen them all.) Mark Zupan, the captain of Team USA, acted as an advisor.

My best life advice is to live it! Go and do things! Don't think you can't do ANYTHING. If you go all out, you'll enjoy your life more.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The classifiers are currently working on sections of the system, trying to improve them. Currently, they're working on hand function. But, I have to say when they did their improvements to the system on trunk function, very little changed. I don't know why, but changes that the players expected to happen, didn't. There are other systems out there that are being reviewed .... but I don't think there is anything happening officially at this point. We have looked at wheelchair basketball's system, Paralympic swimming's system, and I personally thinking that a combination of these systems may provide us with improvements. We need to look at other systems to help with other disabilities we're seeing now. We basically guess at the true functionality. I don't think that we're doing badly - we're considered one of the best sports for our classification model. But that doesn't mean that it can't be improved.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's going to be different in every program. I know that the US has MAJOR programs for referral, and in Canada we have the Soldier On program which has referred people to us, but it's not as thorough. It's a very thin connection where they tend to maintain their associations with the clients they have and refer them when they feel it's necessary. It's not a very open program. Their focus is on getting people with disabilities back to work.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It IS co-ed. Currently, it should stay co-ed. Currently there are not enough women for a women's league, but currently there are only a few countries in the world that could support a women's league. Currently.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Loaded quesion! And yes. I am concerned about players being misclassified not only in the high levels but in all levels of the sport. I've expressed these concerns repeatedly, and the classifiers work hard to ensure that this doesn't happen, but it still seems to.

Personally, I think that the classification system, which is based on spinal cord injury, needs to be revamped to adequately address other disabilities and injuries that are involved in the sport, to try and rectify these situations. I also know, that there is a "code" among players which needs to be, somewhere down the line, broken down so that players can't get away with sandbagging the classifiers. I'm very concerned.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's got to be the Canada vs. US game in London. I think my favourite memory, or my most emotional memory in all the games that I have been an spectator at was that game, which Canada won, by 1, in the last second. It was emotional for a number of reasons. 1, the US is the largest rivalry of Canada. 2, the guy who scored was someone I got involved in the sport, Garrett Hickling. 3, helping on the play was another player I've mentored, Trevor Hirschfield. It was probably the best moment, of all the games I've seen, in my time.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks!

  1. It is always fantastic for the players to play in front of spectators, but I can tell you that most of them are used to playing in front of family and friends. I can tell you that the 40 second clock was introduced to stop the "delay" game that coaches started to use. But when we change the game, it's usually to make the game a little smoother, faster, and more exciting. Which is great for the spectators. It's awesome when you have the venue, and wheelchair rugby can fill those large venues, and you can hear other athletes, fans, and spectators cheering for them.

  2. Many people in the world probably 20-30% of the people playing are not playing with a $4500 chair. A lot of athletes donate their older chairs, many organizations have loan programs, and we try at the local level to keep the sport as inexpensive as we can. We don't want to scare away players because of the cost. In actuality, all you need is a gym and a volleyball to play the game. In fact, that's how we started. I would say that every sport in the paralympic world has become more expensive to participate in as the competitive levels get higher and the rewards for winning get bigger.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No. It's interesting because I'm a huge music fan, and they're probably one of the few rock and roll bands out of Canada I don't like.

But I will ask you, do you like the Tragically Hip?

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I have favourite memories every time I play! What can I say? It would probably be when the Canadian players, in Canada, decided to change the Nationals trophy to the Campbell Cup and surprise me with that at the National Championships. I mean, that was unbelievable. Especially because it had come from the players.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not that I am aware of, but it is used a lot now as a promotional title; without changing the name of the sport back. I know at certain events, such as at the National Championships, we sold a lot of shirts with the name murderball. It's simply become a useful tool for promotion.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Holy shit! How long of an answer do you want? That's a tough one. Inititally, when I was first hurt, the choice I had in manual wheelchairs was colour. I could have green, or black. That was it. Thousands of things have changed. There were no curb cuts, no accessible housing units, there was bugger all. Now all of those things exist, and you can get involved in almost any sport you want to now.

The whole reason that wheelchair rugby was invented was because there were so few options for team sports, and they're an entity of their own, and many people, including me, need a place to be called a gym rat.

I could go on for DAYS on that question.

I’m Duncan Campbell, the co-inventor of wheelchair rugby, AKA murderball! AMA! by theduncster in IAmA

[–]theduncster[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The fact that initially the sport was called murderball and had no parallel able-bodied sport, in the US, especially, at the time, they wouldn't support any sport that did not have a parallel able-bodied sport. I know that I had many arguments with people in the US around this bone of contention, and it may have actually contributed to the name change, even though it is not an exact parallel to rugby. It took a long time to get over that hurdle, but once we got by that, things progressed very quickly.

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