The Gaylord Warriors are a wheelchair rugby team and part of the Gaylord Sports Association, Gaylord Specialty Healthcare’s adaptive sports program. The team is co-ed and includes athletes from Connecticut, New York, and other states who meet the sport’s minimum disability criteria.

The Gaylord Warriors are members of the United States Wheelchair Rugby Association (USWRA) and compete in regional and national tournaments throughout the competitive season, which runs from September through April.

The team brings together athletes from across the region and beyond, who train hard, push their limits, and support each other, building a strong, inclusive team community.

About Wheelchair Rugby

Wheelchair rugby, previously called quad rugby, is a co-ed team sport for tetraplegic athletes. It is a high-contact, fast-paced game that blends elements of wheelchair basketball, ice hockey, handball, and traditional rugby.

Players compete on a basketball-sized court using a manual wheelchair specifically designed for speed, contact, and maneuverability, aiming to score by crossing the opposing team's goal line while carrying the ball.

The sport features a unique classification system to balance teams. Players must meet minimum disability criteria, including a physical impairment that affects at least three limbs, typically tetraplegic or limb impairments. This may include spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, amputation, or other related conditions. Each athlete is assigned a functional classification from 0.5 to 3.5, with teams fielding a combined total of no more than 8.0 points.

Wheelchair rugby is dynamic, physical, inclusive, and deeply strategic, offering athletes an opportunity to challenge themselves, build confidence, and experience the power of true team sport.

Team Calendar

The Gaylord Warriors split practices between Connecticut and New Jersey to serve our regional athlete base.

Locations & Times:

North Haven, CT: Sundays, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Hackensack, NJ: Tuesdays, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

New athletes are encouraged to reach out to learn more about observing or attending a practice.

Regular season tournaments run from September through March, followed by postseason tournaments including the national semi-finals and national championships. The season schedule can be viewed here.

For our most recent standings, visit our team page on USWRA.

Team Coaches

Staff_Photo_2023-02-01 JOLYKATIE 003 SA POLO

Head Coach Team Manager Team Manager Gaylord Sports Association Program Manager

Erin Bedenbaugh Tyler Rogers Darren Templeton Katie Joly

Learn more about Wheelchair Rugby

Want to dive deeper into the world of wheelchair rugby? The Gaylord Warriors are proud members of the United States Wheelchair Rugby Association (USWRA), the national governing body for competitive play across the United States. Explore the sport’s rules, classifications, tournaments, rankings, and national programs on the USWRA website.

Wheelchair rugby has been a Paralympic sport since the 2000 Summer Games, showcasing incredible athleticism, strategy, and teamwork at the highest level.

Check out exciting highlights from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games to see the speed, intensity, and skill of the sport.

➡ Wheelchair Rugby Highlights from Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Support the Gaylord Warriors

Help the Gaylord Warriors continue to thrive on and off the court! There are many ways to get involved:

Volunteer: Assist with practices, tournaments, or team events.
Sponsor: Support the team through corporate or individual sponsorships.
Donate: Contribute to equipment, travel, and program expenses.
Cheer: Attend games and tournaments to show your support for our athletes.

Your support makes a real difference, helping athletes from across the region and beyond train, compete, and build a strong, inclusive community.

<p style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Donate</span></p>

Come join us!

Are you interested in being a part of a high-intensity, full-contact, competitive team sport?

Wheelchair rugby athletes must have a permanent physical impairment that affects both their upper and lower limbs, such as a spinal cord injury, amputation, or neurological conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy.

If you meet these eligibility criteria and are interested in learning more about joining the Warriors, we’d love to connect. Our team provides a competitive, co-ed environment where athletes train, push their limits, and support each other both on and off the court.

Gaylord Warriors Wheelchair Rugby Team