Mark Hickey has played quad rugby since 1991 on the legendary Tampa Generals team as 2.5 player. The Generals still hold the record for 93 consecutive wins. Hickey, with his vast experience is an advisor to new athletes on rugby chair set up and chair design. Both Doyle Mann and Mark Hickey work at Top End as customer service representatives.

• What is Quad Rugby?
  Quad Rugby is played by quadriplegic athletes or those who have lost function of their arms and legs. It is a fast paced, full contact wheelchair sport played on a modified basketball court. For more information on how to get started, rules, finding a team and upcoming tournaments contact www.quadrugby.com
• Is there a classification system like they have for basketball?
  Yes, it basically works the same but there are more classification levels (.5 to 3.5) The players with the lowest classification points are the players who have the least amount of balance/function and typically play defense or set up picks. These players are .5, 1 and 1.5 players. The players with more function play offense and are classification levels of 3 and 3.5. Players with classifications of 2 and 2.5 play both offense and defense.
• What type of chairs are used in Quad Rugby?
  There are chairs specific for Quad Rugby and a lot of this depends on what classification or position the athlete plays on the team. An offensive chair set-up will have offensive wings whereas a defensive chair will be a bit longer, no wings and have lots of surface area to pick or “hold” other players plus a big bumper up front.
• What are the most common options?
  Strapping is important whether you play offensive or defensive. You will want a waist or trunk band for your trunk and leg straps to secure your legs. Right now ratchet or click straps are very popular. Spoke guards are also necessary to protect the wheels from all of the hard hitting of rugby. Defensive players will use a basic spoke guard that will help with picking whereas offensive player will use a “flush” style spoke guard that will help deflect a pick.
• Does Top End make a Quad Rugby Chair?
  Yes, Top End built my chair for me. It is completely welded so that the axle is in a fixed position and so are the front/rear seat heights, anti-tips etc. This is important when I take a hit because there is less chance of my chair getting out of adjustment. If you are interested in a Top End Quad Rugby chair please fill out the contact us form and I will get back to you on the specifications.